Rogue Chesterfield landlord fined nearly £18k for string of crimes

A Chesterfield landlord has been ordered to pay more than £17,000 after admitting to a 'complete disregard' for housing legislation - leaving tenants at risk of fire.
The case was heard at Chesterfield magistrates' court.The case was heard at Chesterfield magistrates' court.
The case was heard at Chesterfield magistrates' court.

Director Neil Bannister pleaded guilty on behalf of GKL Factsell Ltd, registered at an address in Newbold Road, of five offences which put tenants at a house in Fairfield Road, off Ashgate Road, at risk of fire.

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Chesterfield Borough Council officers inspected the property, split into flats and bedsits, last July and found no working smoke alarms or self-closing fire doors in place.

The wiring in the property was old and unsafe, safety certificates for the gas and electricity installations were not provided to the council and the landlord had failed to place contact details in a prominent area of the house.

The landlord failed to comply with an improvement notice served by the council last August.

The council installed battery operated smoke alarms at the property last September.

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On Monday, Chesterfield magistrates' court heard the company had shown 'complete disregard for their statutory obligations' by putting residents and neighbours at risk by failing to have the appropriate health and safety equipment in place.

The court also found GKL Factsell Ltd had been evasive and unreliable and either reckless or negligent in failing to provide information and responses to the court or the council.

The company was ordered to pay a total of £17,741.78 in fines and costs.

Ian Waller, the council's assistant director for health and wellbeing, said: "One of the council's key priorities is to improve the quality of life for local people and we will always act to keep residents safe - this applies to tenants in privately rented accommodation.

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"Not content with failing to supply fire safety equipment including smoke alarms and fire doors, GKL Factsell Ltd also failed to comply with the improvement notices served by our officers to make good these faults and keep the tenants safe.

"This is clearly unacceptable and we will always take action against rogue landlords where necessary."

The prosecution was brought by the council.

Help and advice for private tenants is available from the council's private sector housing team on 01246 345748 or [email protected]