A Cardiff landlord has had a fine for severe safety violations at his rented property increased from £37,000 to £42,521 after losing an appeal.
Nazir Ahmed requested an adjournment at Cardiff Crown Court on October 11th to gather evidence from the South Wales Police, claiming that he was unable to carry out the necessary repairs due to alleged anti-social behaviour and squatters.
However, the court found this excuse insufficient and refused to adjourn the case.
An inspection of the property by council officers and the fire service in April 2023 found a long list of unacceptable conditions for a rental property.
The two-storey property had been subdivided into four flats without planning permission.
Other findings included: insecure property entrances; defective fire doors; no electricity supply after continual attempts to bypass the meters; no working fire alarm, heating, lighting or power; a rodent infestation; unsafe kitchen facilities and an unsafe electrical meter cupboard.
Emergency prohibition orders were served for all four flats and tenants were forced to move out.
Nazir was given a list of repairs and prosecuted for nine offences under regulations relating to houses in multiple occupation.
The landlord was ordered to pay £37,000 in fines, a £2,000 victim surcharge, and legal costs of £461.84 after the case was brought to court on February 29th, 2024.
Now that the legal appeal has failed, Nazir must pay £42,521.84, an increase of £3,060 to cover the council’s additional legal costs.
Cllr Lynda Thorne, cabinet member for housing and communities at Cardiff Council, said: “Private rented housing in Cardiff plays an invaluable role as part of the city’s housing stock, and we work closely with good landlords to provide the best possible accommodation for their tenants.
“Unfortunately, some landlords choose to cut corners and put their tenants in danger, and sadly, this case demonstrates that.”
