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Successful prosecution of a Flintshire landlord

Published: 05/04/2019

Flintshire County Council’s Environmental Health Officers have successfully prosecuted a Flintshire private sector landlord for several offences under housing legislation designed to protect tenants living in shared accommodation.

Environmental Health Officers had inspected the House in Multiple Occupation in July 2018 and found there to be numerous deficiencies including no working fire alarms, no fire doors, defective electrics and inadequate bathroom amenities. Mr Roberts had subsequently ignored requests made under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (Wales) Regulations 2006 to produce gas and electrical testing certificates.

An Improvement Notice was served under the Housing Act 2004 and a subsequent inspection found that the Improvement Notice had not been complied with and that the gas boiler had been condemned for safety reasons.

On 26 March in Wrexham Magistrates Court, Glyn Trevor Roberts pleaded guilty to all 6 offences relating to 7 Connaught Avenue in Shotton. These offences included failing to comply with an Improvement Notice, failing to register rental property, failing to obtain a licence to manage rental property and failure to supply gas and electrical test certificates.

In mitigation it was heard that Mr Roberts was in financial difficulties and was expecting to complete a sale on the property within the next six weeks and would then no longer be a landlord.

Mr Roberts was found guilty of all 6 offences and in sentencing was fined £600. He was also ordered to pay a contribution of £200 to Flintshire County Council’s costs. In sentencing, Mr Roberts was warned that breaches of such legislation could end in tragedy and that if it weren’t for his financial situation, the scale of the fines would have been much greater.

Flintshire County Council’s Chief Officer for Planning, Environment and Economy, Andrew Farrow, said:

“This successful prosecution sends a clear message that Flintshire County Council will not tolerate the poor management of Houses in Multiple Occupation. This legislation is designed to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable residents. It reflects Flintshire County Council’s commitment to ensuring homes in the private rented sector are in good repair, have all the necessary amenities and are properly managed.”