Housing News
Housing Articles
Housing Articles 2021
Housing Articles 2020
Housing Articles 2019
Housing Articles 2018
Housing Articles 2017
Housing Articles 2016
Housing Articles 2015
Housing Articles 2014
Housing Articles 2013
Housing Articles 2012
Housing Articles 2011
Housing Articles 2010
Housing Articles 2009
Housing Articles 2007
A former landlady and ex-council employee from Bristol has been fined and ordered to pay costs after authorities found the property she rented in a state of disrepair last year.
Twenty-seven year-old Shaban Kausar was prosecuted by Bristol City Council in 2012 after breaching numerous housing rules and failing to hold a Housing Act licence despite running a full-scale rental operation in the St Paul's area of the city.
Kausar purchased the four-storey house in Sussex Place in 2008. At that time, according to defence lawyer Sam Jones, it was in good condition. However, tenants soon complained about problems that included broken doors and water-damaged rooms. There was also rubble and mattresses in the front garden.
Environmental health officers visited the property and found that it did not have a multiple occupancy license despite there being several tenants living there. Recent investigations confirmed that the house was in a state of disrepair and the matter was subsequently forwarded to prosecutors that decided to bring the case to court.
Defending Kausar, Mr Jones said that previous tenants had admitted to damaging parts of the property and owed £1,000 in rent. Magistrates have now fined Kausar £1,210 after she admitted to five counts of property neglect. She was also ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge in addition to a £3,237 sum to the council.
Duncan Lewis can help with landlord and tenant disputes. We have a highly experienced team of housing solicitor and aim to find a quick and effective solution for your case.