Dudley landlord fined £11,000 for safety failings in bedsits

Rakesh Sandhi, sole director and shareholder of Northgate (Dudley) Ltd, which rents bedsits within premises in King Street, Dudley, received the fine after charges were brought by Dudley Council’s legal team.

The premises had been converted into bedsits and were let to a number of tenants over the last three years, netting Sandhi an income of more than £24,000 in a period of about 15 months.

Inspectors from the council’s private sector housing enforcement found the units to be filthy and dangerous with disrespect for fire safety regulations - and in some cases dangerous electricity supplies were also reported.

Sandhi pleaded guilty to 28 charges - the bulk of which related to failings in his duty as a manager to take safety measures, in particular in relation to keeping fire escapes free from obstruction and maintained in good order and repair.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, cabinet member for housing, said afterwards: “We will not stint when it comes to challenging and prosecuting landlords who put their tenants’ safety and very lives at risk.

"These properties were in a shocking state of disrepair, but more significantly flouted essential fire safety regulations which are designed to help keep tenants safe.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this case and would warn anyone who doesn’t take their landlord responsibilities seriously that we will take action."

Sandhi failed to provide his name, address and contact details to each household in the HMO and details were not displayed in a prominent public area, as required.

He further failed in his duty as a manager to maintain common parts, fixtures and fittings and appliances in good and clean decorative repair, maintained in a safe and working condition and kept reasonably clear from obstruction, in accordance with Regulation 7.

The final charge under Section 72 HA 2004, reflected Sandhi’s operating a house of multiple occupancy without a licence.

This is the second conviction for Sandhi in relation to the King Street property, as he was convicted for similar offences in 2014.

It is also Sandhi’s third conviction in terms of management of multiple occupancy properties, as he was convicted for similar offences for a different property in High Street, Dudley in 2016.

After Sandhi pleaded guilty to all the charges, magistrates fined him £400 per offence - totalling £11,200.

He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £40 and full costs of £1,936.65, with a final sum of £13,176, payable within 14 days.

Councillor Partridge added: "Any residents who fear they may be in a similar situation can call Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345 and we will investigate their circumstances and prosecute where it is warranted.”