Landlords fined for not repairing Oldbury home after tenant keeps them out
LANDLORDS kept out of their property by an 'incredibly difficult' tenant have been left with a financial penalty for not repairing the home.
Kulsoom Akhtar and Imran Mohammed failed to revamp the property despite being warned to rid the building of hazards by Sandwell Council.
The notice came after their tenant complained to council officers about a lack of heating and a leaky roof, Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court heard.
But the joint owners claimed the tenant stopped them from letting appointed companies enter the Oldbury home and carry out the necessary repairs.
They walked from court with a £150 fine, £342.82 costs and a £30 victim surcharge each after magistrates 'took note' of the pair's unsuccessful efforts to transform the property.
Speaking after the hearing, defence solicitor Mr Rafique Patel said: "We are delighted they took into account the attempts to rectify the situation."
The tenant appealed to the council to help with the problems at the Barnett Street property on November 30 last year, prosecutor Mr James Fraczyk said.
Housing officers inspected the property a week later, finding parts of the home had fallen into disrepair.
They discovered problems including loose lighting fittings, trip hazards, damp, mould, no smoke alarms and bricks by the door, the court heard on Thursday.
Council officers issued the pair with a hazard awareness notice, highlighting improvements needed to be made to the property.
Defendants were later served with a housing improvement notice and ordered to make all repairs by March 31.
But work remained outstanding when officers reinspected the home in April, Mr Fraczyk revealed.
Mr Rafique Patel said the pair attempted to carry out the minimum £2,000 worth of repairs but the tenant refused to give the defendants access to the property or pay rent.
He added: "They take their roles very seriously. What the clients should have been doing was appealing the notice on the basis that they had a reasonable excuse for non-compliance.
"But they did not write to the council. They had no option but to plead guilty. They were trying to get access but this tenant was being incredibly difficult."
Akhtar, 35, and Mohammed, 30, who both live at different houses in Barnett Street, Oldbury, admitted failing to comply with a housing improvement notice on April 6.
