Landlord Slapped with £10K Fine for Renting Out Dangerous Southampton Property
Stephen John Roberts faced the music at Southampton Magistrates Court on Friday, 5 March 2016, after admitting to three serious charges over an unsafe House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at 20A Bath Street – a property he owns.
Fined for Flouting Safety Rules
- £4,000 for failing to licence the property
- £2,000 for failing to provide a valid electrical safety certificate
- £3,300 for neglecting to maintain working smoke alarms
On top of the fines, Roberts was hit with £600 in legal costs and a £400 victim surcharge, racking up a total penalty of £10,300.
History of Neglect
Roberts had a previous conviction for failing to licence the same property. Fortunately, the council dropped two additional charges due to insufficient evidence.
Council Cracks Down on Dodgy Landlords
The council will continue to deal robustly with landlords who fail to apply for a licence and those who let unsafe homes,” said Cllr Warwick Payne, Cabinet Member for Housing & Sustainability at Southampton Council. “At the same time, we want to work with responsible landlords by helping them comply with the rules, as they provide a valuable service for the city.”
Southampton Council is clearly making it a priority to protect tenants and raise safety standards—no excuses for dodgy landlords to get away with putting people’s lives at risk.
