Wharfedale News
£3,000 fine for Yeadon landlord
3:00pm Thursday 2nd February 2012
A landlord has been ordered to pay more than £5,000 after being found guilty of failing to protect his tenants against fire and damp.
John Michael Laurie of Copt Grove Road, Yeadon, Leeds, was fined £3,000 and ordered to repay costs of £2,179.18, with a £15 victim surcharge, when he appeared at Leeds Magistrates’ Court last week.
Laurie’s tenants had contacted Leeds City Council after he refused to repair a leaking roof causing damp in the house.
Investigations by council officers showed the house also had inadequate fire safety measures in place for the occupants.
Council officers visited the house and served an improvement notice to the landlord, which meant he was required to install a mains wired automatic fire detection system throughout the house, fire doors and a fire escape window on the first floor. The roof leak was also to be repaired.
When Laurie failed to undertake the necessary improvements, court action was taken.
Councillor Peter Gruen, council executive board member with responsibility for neighbourhoods and housing, said: “The fines imposed by the court are a reminder to landlords of the seriousness of failing to protect the safety of their tenants.
“It is not acceptable for tenants to live in houses that do not meet simple safety regulations. I would encourage any tenant who feels the property they are living in is not up to standard to contact us.”
Tenants who are concerned that their landlord or agents are failing to sort out property defects can contact the housing regulation team for assistance or advice at prs.housing@leeds.gov.uk or telephone 0113 247 7594.