Torbay Council is once again warning landlords that they must comply with the law and work with the council, where necessary, to improve housing standards or they could face possible prosecution.

The warning follows a recent prosecution brought by Torbay Council against a Paignton landlord, which resulted in him being ordered to pay a total of £13,775 in fines and costs.

The case, which was heard at Torquay Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd July 2014, was brought by Torbay Council’s Legal Services and Housing Standards Team with supporting input from the council’s Building Control and Revenues and Benefits departments.

Mr Daniel John Philpott of The Close in Paignton had previously pleaded not guilty to 17 offences of failing to comply with The Licensing and Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Additional Provisions)(England) Regulations 2007, at two houses of multiple occupation properties in Paignton, owned by him.

The Magistrates found Mr Philpott guilty of 14 offences and ordered him to pay £11,000 towards Torbay Council’s prosecution costs.

The contraventions at the properties related to fire and electrical safety, security, windows in poor condition and general lack of maintenance throughout.

The issues were stated by the council as arising due to mismanagement of the properties, a lack of a sufficient and regular inspection and maintenance regime, and Mr Philpott’s unwillingness to engage effectively with Torbay Council. This resulted in residents being exposed to unsafe conditions and the properties having a detrimental impact on local residents.

Executive Lead for Housing, Councillor Dave Thomas, said: “The majority of landlords provide a good level of service for their tenants, but there is a minority who choose to ignore the law, which not only places their tenants at risk, but also creates problems for the wider community. Torbay Council is committed to pursuing such landlords."

This is one of a number of prosecutions brought by Torbay Council under the partnership banner of the Rogue Landlords Programme. Whilst led by the council’s Housing Standards Team, it is a supported programme by collocated officers from Devon and Cornwall Police, the Immigration Service and Devon and Cornwall Fire and Rescue Service, in a continued aim to drive up standards of private rented accommodation in Torbay.

Anyone with a concern about the condition of their private rented property, whether you are a landlord or tenant, please contact Torbay Council for advice on telephone 01803 208025 or visit www.torbay.gov.uk/index/yourservices/housing/housingstandards.htm. You can also follow the team on Twitter @TorbayNHT