Landlord fined £37,111 for multiple housing regulation breaches

Mr Greene pleaded guilty at Birmingham Magistrates Court and has been fined £35,000, with costs awarded at £1,941 and a victim surcharge of £170. He had been letting a three storey property at 129 College Road, Moseley which included ten self-contained flats. Inspectors commented that it was the worst property they had seen in the last 10 years.

Mr Greene is an established landlord, having owned the property since 1986 and was aware of HMO regulations. Birmingham City Council has frequently contacted Mr Greene to resolve the poor conditions which included those designed to protect tenants in the event of a fire. However, he neglected his responsibilities as a landlord putting the lives in danger of vulnerable tenants who relied on him to provide safe accommodation.

While Mr Greene maintained that he had issues gaining access to the flats, Birmingham City Council Officers found that smoke detectors were hanging off the ceiling, fire doors were ill fitting and fire escape exits were blocked. Windows were broken and boarded up. The tenants had no access to hot water and heating and the front and rear doors were insecure leaving the property open to the elements.

Councillor Sharon Thompson, Cabinet Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods at Birmingham City Council, said: “Mr Greene has shown a callous disregard for his responsibilities as a landlord. This fine sends out a message to all landlords who ignore the law that Birmingham City Council will pursue anyone who lets out substandard accommodation.”