Two landlords have been ordered to pay thousands of pounds after failing to meet legal housing standards on properties in Rotherham.
Last month, Sheffield Magistrates Court heard how Imran Raza, of Bawtry Road, Wickersley, repeatedly ignored warnings about dangerous conditions in three privately rented homes in Eastwood. Despite inspections, legal notices and reminders, he failed to fix serious hazards or provide valid gas safety certificates.
Improvement notices served in early 2024 demanded urgent repairs to tackle damp and mould, broken windows and doors, missing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, electrical safety issues and poor kitchen and bathroom conditions. The court heard that these notices were not complied with.
Raza admitted four offences under the Housing Act 2004 and was fined £2,560, plus £1,328 in costs and a £1,024 victim surcharge – a total of £4,912.
Meanwhile, Jeannette Seraphine Toussaint, of Romford, was found guilty of failing to comply with an improvement notice for a property on Doe Quarry Lane, Dinnington. She was fined £1,800, ordered to pay £440.30 in costs and a £720 victim surcharge, totalling £2,960.30.
The prosecutions are part of Rotherham Council’s selective licensing scheme, designed to improve housing conditions, crackdown on anti-social behaviour and protect tenants and communities from poor property management.
Cllr Linda Beresford, Cabinet Member for Housing at Rotherham Council, said: “Everyone in Rotherham deserves to live in a home that is safe, secure and meets basic standards. There is absolutely no excuse for landlords who ignore their legal responsibilities and put tenants’ health and safety at risk.
“These prosecutions send a clear message. If you fail to provide decent housing or disregard improvement notices, we will take action. We will continue to work with and support responsible landlords, but those who flout the law will face the full force of enforcement.”
