A Darlington-based landlord has been prosecuted after it was discovered he was letting a property that could have been potentially deadly for tenants.
Darlington businessman Mizan Abdin, the owner of the house in Station Road, was investigated following an anonymous tip-off.
The house was found to be not only overcrowded with inadequate living conditions, it also had a bedroom with a ceiling that was less than four-foot high. Tenants at the house were also found sleeping on the floor, while visible electrical cables were left to hang out of a window.
Darlington Borough Council and the Border Agency termed the property “appallingly dangerous”, saying that it posed a serious risk to the lives of its tenants as a result of numerous health and safety failings.
Mr Abdin, pleaded guilty to 17 offences relating to failure to comply with regulations including a lack of licence to manage his property and was fined £32,070 at Darlington Magistrates’ Court.
Christine Selby, chairwoman of the bench, said: “This situation is appallingly dangerous and the state of this house could have led to injury or even, in the worst case, death.”
Councillor Chris McEwan added: “This case demonstrates the problems faced by vulnerable tenants living in the private rented sector and quite clearly shows a landlord with no concern for the health and safety or welfare of his tenants.”