By James Simons-
A landlord from Greater Manchester has been fined a huge £55,000 after inspectors found two neighbouring homes overcrowded and unsafe.
Amir Ashar, who owns two properties on Cromwell Road, Manchester, breached housing regulations by failing to keep his properties in acceptable condition for renting. Both properties were houses of multiple occupation and subject to specific rules under the Housing Act 2004. Inspectors found the house in less than satisfactory condition when they arrived.
The overcrowded house was not fitted with an alarm system as required, and did not have fire doors leading to the escape route. It had a cellar that did not provide 30 minutes protection in the event of a fire. Gas and electric suppliers were left with no option but to disconnect the supply as they found it was unsafe and had been tampered with.
Ashar’s fine was imposed by Manchester Property Tribunal following an appeal hearing for breaching regulations at the properties and failing to licence one of them. During the inspection officers noticed a number of people leaving the house next door at 11 Cromwell Road . On entering the property, they noticed the fire alarm did not work and there were also no fire doors leading to the escape route. Ashar’s property is not the only property without active fire alarms, and there are many landlords who have been escaping punitive action for similar offences.
This is because many councils have either not detected the failing, or they have been satisfied with other requirements in those properties during inspections. Ashar’s fine should serve as a warning to other landlords. All failings of landlords relating to breaches are punishable but councils have enough discretion to give them an opportunity to address weakness or certain breaches of regulations.
Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “In Salford we introduced selective licensing to wipe bad landlords out of the city and improve standards for all the people who live in rented accommodation. We also need to make sure we have the right type of housing mix in particular areas of the city.
“Tenants and communities should not be exploited so our aim is to make sure that housing is up to standard and this city does not suffer from unscrupulous landlords.
“Thanks to the proactive work from our housing officers we have been able to take action. But I’d encourage anybody who has any concerns about a property that they live in, or one they are aware of, to make contact with us.