A private landlord has been fined after leaving a mother and her three young children without central heating for nearly six months over the winter.
The state of the property in Streatlam Road, Darlington was so poor that the health of the tenant and her three young children –an eight-year-old, six-year-old, and one just two months old – was at risk.
Following a complaint from the tenant, private sector housing officials from Darlington Borough Council inspected the property. They found that not only had the central heating been broken for nearly six months, but further repairs including broken stair rails and draughty windows had also not been repaired by the landlord, Kieron Munnelly.
The council advised Munnelly to make the repairs to the premises, and when he failed to do so they issued him with a statutory notice. They were instead conducted by the council’s building services team, who will bill the landlord for the work, reported The Northern Echo.
Darlington Magistrates Court handed Munnelly a fine of £1,000 and costs of £500.
David Burrell, private sector housing manager for Darlington Borough Council, said: “Action was taken against a landlord who left his tenants over winter without adequate heating. The private sector housing team works hard to protect tenants and ensure that they are able to live in a safe and warm home.”