In Bridlington, landlord Carlo Ykhlef has been ordered to pay a sum of £3,287 due to his failure to address necessary repairs and implement adequate management measures ensuring the safety of the tenant. The lack of essential repairs and a lack of safety measures have raised concerns regarding the well-being of the tenant residing in the property.
The landlord’s negligence in maintaining the property poses risks to the tenant’s safety and violates the responsibility to provide a secure living environment. The imposed financial penalty serves as a consequence for these lapses in ensuring a habitable and safe rental space.
Ykhlef’s failure to adhere to improvement notices served under the Housing Act 2004 prompted legal action by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. The notices aimed to address essential repairs and establish adequate management protocols to ensure the safety of the rented property. Despite being given the opportunity to rectify the issues, Ykhlef’s non-compliance led to the council pursuing the matter in court.
In his absence from the magistrate’s hearing, Ykhlef’s case was proven, underscoring the seriousness of the infractions. The court, in response, imposed a financial penalty on Ykhlef, totaling £3,287. This amount includes £660 for each of the two improvement notices, highlighting the severity of the shortcomings identified. Moreover, Ykhlef is now responsible for covering additional costs amounting to £1,439, along with a victim surcharge of £528.
This legal action serves as a reminder of the obligations landlords bear towards maintaining safe and habitable living conditions for their tenants. The imposed penalties underscore the significance of promptly addressing necessary repairs and upholding property management standards to ensure the well-being of those residing in rented accommodations.
The court proceedings revealed that the flat, housing a vulnerable tenant, posed significant hazards endangering both the tenant and her visitors, including a pregnant daughter. The council’s private sector housing team initiated the prosecution, triggered by inspections uncovering inadequacies such as insufficient heating, faulty insulation, a hazardous staircase, a malfunctioning fire alarm, and a deficient lock on the main entrance door.
Following the property inspections, the council issued legal notices to Ykhlef, specifying Category 1 and 2 Hazards, encompassing risks related to fire and excessive cold. Despite being served these notices, Ykhlef failed to undertake the necessary repairs, exposing tenants to persistently unsafe living conditions. This legal action emphasizes the imperative role landlords play in ensuring the safety and well-being of their tenants, underscoring the consequences for neglecting essential property maintenance and hazard mitigation measures.
Chris Dunnachie, the council’s private sector housing manager, expressed profound frustration over the landlord’s continuous disregard for advice and legal notices. Despite ongoing efforts to collaborate and encourage the necessary repairs to the property, the landlord, Carlo Ykhlef, consistently ignored the council’s warnings. This negligence prompted the council to take drastic action, intervening to address immediate safety concerns, particularly focusing on a hazardous staircase within the rented flat.
Throughout the case, council officers tirelessly attempted to work with Ykhlef to undertake essential repairs and improvements. Despite their persistent efforts, the advice provided by the officers and subsequent legal notices were consistently disregarded. This failure to comply not only posed a direct threat to the tenant but also jeopardized the safety of visitors, including the tenant’s pregnant daughter. The property, found to have inadequate heating and insulation, a dangerous staircase, a faulty fire alarm, and a lacking suitable door lock, warranted immediate attention.
Dunnachie emphasized that the council’s intervention became imperative to ensure the safety of the tenant and her visitors. The emergency works on the dangerous staircase underscored the seriousness of the situation and the council’s commitment to taking decisive action when tenant safety is jeopardized by severe property hazards. This case serves as a stark reminder that landlords must prioritize the well-being of their tenants, as the council remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding residents from unsafe living conditions.
