08/12/22

A landlady has been ordered to pay over £10,000 at Cardiff Magistrates' Court for a catalogue of failures relating to a house she owns and rents out as a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO.)

Rowshanara Begum from Clive Street, Grangetown, Cardiff, did not attend court on December 1^stand was sentenced in her absence.

A fine of £2,000 was given for each of the five offences, resulting in a £10,000 fine, as well as £2,000 in costs and a victim surcharge of £190.

The case came to light following a complaint from a tenant about the conditions at the rented property in Blaenclydach Street in Grangetown.

An inspection was carried out and a catalogue of faults were identified, including, inadequate structural fire protection to escape from the property, no fire alarm system, unprotected electricity meters, defective fire doors, broken windows, unsafe electrical installations, dirty carpets, unsafe kitchen facilities and evidence of penetrating damp.

Legal notices were served on Mrs Begum to make the required repairs to her rented property. As these repairs were not completed within the time allowed, legal action was taken.

Cllr Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: "HMO's play an important role in the city's housing stock. As a landlord, the financial yield from these properties is often higher than renting a family home, but renting HMO's carries additional responsibilities and the required investment in the property to ensure that it is safe for the tenants that are living there.

"In this instance, the Victorian property has been turned into four self-contained flats. The flats were not just in breach of the requirements, they were unsafe and dangerous. Our officers will follow up the case, now that the legal process has ended to ensure that the repairs are carried out and the property is in a safe state of repair for the people living there."