A rogue landlord is to be banned from letting out properties again after being found guilty of numerous failures.
Janice Pope, who rents out properties in Stone in Staffordshire, has recently been guilty of eight offences under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Housing Act 2004.
Found guilty in absence at Cannock Magistrates Court, Pope was ordered to pay a total of £3,464 in fines and costs.
She had ignored numerous demands from Stafford Borough Council to make improvements to her rented semi-detached house.
Let to a mother of two, the council found the house to have damp and mould, a defective boiler, inadequate ventilation, a blocked drain, and loose paving slabs. Following an investigation the local authority served notices on the landlord ordering her to make improvements to the property.
The council is now applying for Pope to be placed on the ‘Rogue Landlords Database’ — which would prevent her from renting out property again.
“It is vital for the borough that we have a good standard of housing stock for people to rent and it is reassuring to know that the vast majority of our landlords take their responsibilities seriously when it comes to providing this,” said councillor Ian Fordham, cabinet member for environment at Stafford Borough Council.
“Taking legal action is always a last resort — but the safety of our residents is one of the council’s top priorities and we will not turn a blind eye to those who fail to do what is necessary to keep their tenants safe.”
The borough council has since helped to rehome the mother and her two teenage daughters.
