To improve danger homes
A DERBY landlord whose properties had a damaged fire door, dangerous exposed kitchen wiring and unsafe communal doors has been ordered to pay almost £19,000.
Jaswinder Singh Khatkar ignored orders to improve two of his Derby properties.
He was prosecuted by Derby City Council Housing Standards team and found to be in breach of 11 improvement notices and was fined £11,000, ordered to pay the council’s costs of £7,856 and a victim surcharge of £100.
In total he has to pay out £18,956. In August 2018, an inspection of two of the landlord’s large properties in Hartington Street was carried out, where category one and two hazards were found to exist.
Owing to the nature of the hazards found, improvement notices were served, which formally requested the works be undertaken and clearly set out timescales by which the works must be completed. Several compliance visits followed, where it was identified that very little work had been completed.
Councillor Jonathan Smale is city council cabinet member for neighbourhoods, communities and Streetpride.
He said: “I am delighted to see another rogue landlord face the consequences of flouting their obligations by renting out unsafe and substandard accommodation to tenants, many of whom may be vulnerable.
“I congratulate the housing standard team for this result.
“Once again they have shown dedication to improving living standards for private tenants in Derby and ensuring their safety and well-being is a top priority.”
Speaking after the case, Mr Khatkar said: “The time given to make the improvements was very limited and over the Christmas period, where it is difficult to contract tradesman and gain access to the properties.
“All the improvements were completed within a few weeks of the time of the deadline expiring, to the cost of over £30,000.
“There was no fire risk or threats to tenants, as all the properties were fully inspected and approved by Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service months before the notice. And this was accepted in the trial.”