A landlord has been heavily fined for failing to fix safety hazards at a property in Peterborough and for operating separate homes without a licence.
Zahid Hussain was fined £13,936 for failing to comply with statutory improvement notices and for operating properties without the required licence under the council’s Selective Licensing scheme.
The prosecution was led by the council’s Housing Standards team after Hussain failed to carry out essential works identified under multiple improvement notices served by officers. These works were necessary to address hazards and ensure the safety and wellbeing of tenants at the property in Stone Lane.
When officers visited the home, they noted several safety issues including damp and mould as well as electrical and fire hazards. The property was also excessively cold and had no certification that the property met gas safety regulations or that the boiler was safe to use. Officers were also unable to find any evidence or supporting documents confirming that the property’s electrics were safe or met current standards.
Hussain was also found to be managing properties in St Paul's Road that required a Selective Licence without having obtained one, in breach of legal requirements.
Hussain did not attend a recent hearing at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court and was found guilty in his absence. He was fined £2,000 for failure to comply with the council’s improvement notices, £3,000 for each breach of failing to licence a property and was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £3,200, as well as costs.
Councillor Christian Hogg, Peterborough City Council’s Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Enforcement, said: "I hope that this successful prosecution serves as a warning to the small minority of landlords who put their tenants at risk. We are fully committed to maintaining safe and well managed housing for residents and will take appropriate enforcement action under the range of powers available to us if we discover landlords or companies who flagrantly disregard the law.
“The judgment also reinforces the importance of compliance with licensing regulations and serves as a reminder that landlords operating within designated Selective Licensing areas must ensure that their properties are properly licensed.”
The council will now seek to have Mr Hussain included on the Rogue Landlord Database.
Residents with concerns about the safety, suitability or management of a privately rented property in the city are encouraged to contact 01733 747474 or visit the Council’s Private Housing Advice webpage.
The council’s Selective Licensing scheme was introduced in March 2024 to improve standards of accommodation in the private rented sector and tackle rogue landlords. For more information visit our Selective Licensing website page.