Landlord fined for putting lives at risk (From Daily Echo)

Solicitors can paint a pretty picture of hasn't he done well, but the problem is easily solved. Whom so ever is the the recipient for the rent is liable and responsible for the property. Simple.

Hardly newsworthy though, let's be honest...

I am a landlord and my tenants get housing benefit. I am never asked to do checks or prove that everything is up to date.

I do it because its the safe thing to do and it is also the law.

The council are subsiding scumbag landlords all over the city and never ask even for as much as a gas safety certificate.

A welcome prosecution and scary to think he is a director of the regeneration of St Marys if he keeps his own properties in this condition.
Unfortunately there are many more properties in this area which landlords
are failing to maintain to the legal standard.
Like 'sarfhamton' says why are SCC not being proactive in checking the safety of privately rented properties?
It's not rocket science to drive down Bevois Valley and see that Denzil & Cranbury Avenue would be a good place to start.
They seem more than happy to pay out thousands in benefits to subsidise the landlords of these slums.

Not really sure what relevance housing benefit has to the story. Just more of the Echo trying to stir up taxpayer anger, I suppose.

Georgem wrote:
Not really sure what relevance housing benefit has to the story. Just more of the Echo trying to stir up taxpayer anger, I suppose.

I think the insinuation is because the tenants are in receipt of HB they're less likely to kick up a fuss about a dodgy fire escape ect... Than someone paying the rent out of their own pocket.

Stop housing benefit payments full stop, then we would see an end to all this.

bigfella777 wrote:
Stop housing benefit payments full stop, then we would see an end to all this.

No it would not; that would just encourage landlords to evict because of non payment of rent. What happened to your brains?

More evidence of the increase needed in Social Housing which can provide safe accommodation with affordable rents.
Private landlords know they can still let property in poor condition due to the demand.
Often those on benefits are the most vunerable so would be in fear of losing their accommodation if they were to complain about defects.
Also within the St Marys area there is a large foreign community who simply are not aware of the minimum legal standards they should expect from privately rented accommodation.
Landlords are simply exploiting both vunerable benefit tenants and those from abroad.

This shameless exploitation of tenants only got spotted because somehow police attended some incident and thankfully the officers were alert.

So police officers deserve apperciation.

But what about the authorities which had been paying out of public purse as rent for place highly dangerous for tenants? Why do they not make check on places before allowing shark landlords lose to exploit people desperate for roof on their heads?

While there may be some decent landlords around, unfortunately there are too many realy bad ones like this around. Council should be going after them without fear or favours, just because some may also be sitting on some committees or running some other supposedly respectable business or involved in certain religious organisation.

Finally it is bit cheeky of rightly fined by court landlord Kenth to say that he strongly feels he is not guilty. Judgements in this country are passed by the courts, which has very rightly fined him. If he thinks he has not done anything wrong then why has he not appealed to higher court? Could there be some reason like Huhune?

Donald2000 wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:
Stop housing benefit payments full stop, then we would see an end to all this.

No it would not; that would just encourage landlords to evict because of non payment of rent. What happened to your brains?

Exactly, go to work and earn your rent like the rest of the world has to.

Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

bigfella777 wrote:

Donald2000 wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:
Stop housing benefit payments full stop, then we would see an end to all this.

No it would not; that would just encourage landlords to evict because of non payment of rent. What happened to your brains?

Exactly, go to work and earn your rent like the rest of the world has to.

Those who work also have to face similar problems with lousy landlords.

It is all about sharks exploiting the natural need of people for roof over their heads.

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

I know him as well.

He may be kind gentleman to you but court of law's judgement has proved him to be very bad landlord.

We don't know if the tenants requested for repairs or not, but if he was a decent landlord then why did he not keep an eye on dangerous state of his property?

What type of 'kind gentleman' will be able to live with his conscience while minting money through exposing humans to fire hazards?

Surely you are not upset because the alert police officers have done the right thing by contacting correct authorities to make sure the people live in safe conditions, as required under the law?

Paramjit Bahia wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

I know him as well.

He may be kind gentleman to you but court of law's judgement has proved him to be very bad landlord.

We don't know if the tenants requested for repairs or not, but if he was a decent landlord then why did he not keep an eye on dangerous state of his property?

What type of 'kind gentleman' will be able to live with his conscience while minting money through exposing humans to fire hazards?

Surely you are not upset because the alert police officers have done the right thing by contacting correct authorities to make sure the people live in safe conditions, as required under the law?

I fully agree with properties being kept in good condition. But, Let's assume you lived in a rented accommodation, would you want the Landlord coming round every day or week to inspect?

I have rented property in the past and always allowed my Tenants privacy and advised them that any problems phone me.

It is also within the Tenancy agreement that Tenants are obliged to notify the Landlord of any defects etc.

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

So if someone who doesn't understand their rights or isn't an expert in fire safety doesn't report something to the landlord it's their fault if they die in a fire!

I don't think you really thought that one through.

The law is very clear, if you wish to profit from renting a property out YOU are responsible for meeting and maintaining the legal safety requirements of the property.

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems. A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong. Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand? I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

Naive to assume that just because tenants report hazards and defects that the landlord will respond to these requests.

HillsidePaul wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

So if someone who doesn't understand their rights or isn't an expert in fire safety doesn't report something to the landlord it's their fault if they die in a fire!

I don't think you really thought that one through.

The law is very clear, if you wish to profit from renting a property out YOU are responsible for meeting and maintaining the legal safety requirements of the property.

I do agree with you. But if a Landlord lets a property which was in good condition upon the start of the Tenancy, the contract will place the responsibility upon the Tenant to report any faults.

If the Tenant allows the property to fall below standard without reporting it then it's becomes their Tenants responsibility.

The Tenancy agreement would state this.

IronLady2010 wrote:

HillsidePaul wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

So if someone who doesn't understand their rights or isn't an expert in fire safety doesn't report something to the landlord it's their fault if they die in a fire!

I don't think you really thought that one through.

The law is very clear, if you wish to profit from renting a property out YOU are responsible for meeting and maintaining the legal safety requirements of the property.

I do agree with you. But if a Landlord lets a property which was in good condition upon the start of the Tenancy, the contract will place the responsibility upon the Tenant to report any faults.

If the Tenant allows the property to fall below standard without reporting it then it's becomes their Tenants responsibility.

The Tenancy agreement would state this.

Do the Council come out and inspect homes daily? No, they rely on the Tenants to report faults, but will inspect properties at intervals as to allow their Tenants privacy.

IronLady2010 wrote:

HillsidePaul wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

So if someone who doesn't understand their rights or isn't an expert in fire safety doesn't report something to the landlord it's their fault if they die in a fire!

I don't think you really thought that one through.

The law is very clear, if you wish to profit from renting a property out YOU are responsible for meeting and maintaining the legal safety requirements of the property.

I do agree with you. But if a Landlord lets a property which was in good condition upon the start of the Tenancy, the contract will place the responsibility upon the Tenant to report any faults.

If the Tenant allows the property to fall below standard without reporting it then it's becomes their Tenants responsibility.

The Tenancy agreement would state this.

I suppose you are assuming what was in agreement, if that was legally binding situation the Court would have considered it.

So without any disrespect to you I rather respect the verdict delivered by the judge.

Then apart from legality there is also something called morality, which is rare when it comes to most if not all landlords.

As HSP has very rightly pointed out it is responsibility of the landlord. Mohinder Kenth failed that test in the court of law, so very rightly got fined.
Period.

This case is less than even tip of iceberg. There are too many bad landlords, few good ones should be condemning them rather than mitigating for blood sucking enemies of humanity, and authorities cracking hard without considering so called social status of people in this business.

Paramjit Bahia wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:

HillsidePaul wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

So if someone who doesn't understand their rights or isn't an expert in fire safety doesn't report something to the landlord it's their fault if they die in a fire!

I don't think you really thought that one through.

The law is very clear, if you wish to profit from renting a property out YOU are responsible for meeting and maintaining the legal safety requirements of the property.

I do agree with you. But if a Landlord lets a property which was in good condition upon the start of the Tenancy, the contract will place the responsibility upon the Tenant to report any faults.

If the Tenant allows the property to fall below standard without reporting it then it's becomes their Tenants responsibility.

The Tenancy agreement would state this.

I suppose you are assuming what was in agreement, if that was legally binding situation the Court would have considered it.

So without any disrespect to you I rather respect the verdict delivered by the judge.

Then apart from legality there is also something called morality, which is rare when it comes to most if not all landlords.

As HSP has very rightly pointed out it is responsibility of the landlord. Mohinder Kenth failed that test in the court of law, so very rightly got fined.
Period.

This case is less than even tip of iceberg. There are too many bad landlords, few good ones should be condemning them rather than mitigating for blood sucking enemies of humanity, and authorities cracking hard without considering so called social status of people in this business.

I have to agree with you and respect the decision of the Judge.

Sometimes I feel we are harsh on Landlords. Yes, they have a duty to ensure their properties are maintained, but at the same time have to allow their tenants privacy and rely on them to report faults.

As you rightly state, I don't know what the Tenancy agreement contained, but I assume it would be a standard Tenancy which places responsibility upon the Tenants to report faults.

I don't know if these faults had been reported, if they had then shame on the Landlord. But let's be honest not all Tenants are little darlings ;-)

When I moved into my first council home I had to take up a floorboard to instal an electric socket, this was before the law that stopped competent people from doing this without bits of paper qualifications, I noticed that a pipe going to the gas fire had a join from ferrous to copper pipe and although not Corgi qualified I suspected this was wrong and reported this to the local housing office (we had one then}. Their resonse was that it would have been inspected when the property was vacant so must be OK. There was another fault I spotted with the cooker connection for which I was also fobbed off. When the annual inspection was due I took the day off work to point these faults out to the inspector who immediately condemned the gas supply to the house. It's not only private landlords who get it wrong. Interestingly I moved into 1 bed sheltered accommodation from there and discovered the hot water boiler did not work, despite the councils so called void inspections.

Unless the Local Authority actively inspect properties landlords will continue to avoid the legal requirements of letting a property.
It wouldn't be difficult to compile a list of properties and ensure the various legal
requirements/certifi
cates have been met by the landlord.
After all it's only a short walk across the park from your Council Offices to St Marys?

bigfella777 wrote:

Donald2000 wrote:

bigfella777 wrote:
Stop housing benefit payments full stop, then we would see an end to all this.

No it would not; that would just encourage landlords to evict because of non payment of rent. What happened to your brains?

Exactly, go to work and earn your rent like the rest of the world has to.

Some people are forced into a situation where they have to be on benefits and take properties like this as this is all that is available. Lets hope you never find yourself in a situation like that.

Good trolling, bigfella777! Another rip-roaring success!

Rockhopper wrote:
Unless the Local Authority actively inspect properties landlords will continue to avoid the legal requirements of letting a property.
It wouldn't be difficult to compile a list of properties and ensure the various legal
requirements/certifi

cates have been met by the landlord.
After all it's only a short walk across the park from your Council Offices to St Marys?

If this post was aimed at mine I should point out that I do not live in the St Mary's area and the nearest Local Housing Office, on the rare occasions it is open, to the sheltered accommodation in which I reside is over 4 miles distant. Also the council is supposed to inspect all voids before re-letting. In my case they failed twice, that's a 100% record.

IronLady2010 wrote:

Paramjit Bahia wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:

HillsidePaul wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

So if someone who doesn't understand their rights or isn't an expert in fire safety doesn't report something to the landlord it's their fault if they die in a fire!

I don't think you really thought that one through.

The law is very clear, if you wish to profit from renting a property out YOU are responsible for meeting and maintaining the legal safety requirements of the property.

I do agree with you. But if a Landlord lets a property which was in good condition upon the start of the Tenancy, the contract will place the responsibility upon the Tenant to report any faults.

If the Tenant allows the property to fall below standard without reporting it then it's becomes their Tenants responsibility.

The Tenancy agreement would state this.

I suppose you are assuming what was in agreement, if that was legally binding situation the Court would have considered it.

So without any disrespect to you I rather respect the verdict delivered by the judge.

Then apart from legality there is also something called morality, which is rare when it comes to most if not all landlords.

As HSP has very rightly pointed out it is responsibility of the landlord. Mohinder Kenth failed that test in the court of law, so very rightly got fined.
Period.

This case is less than even tip of iceberg. There are too many bad landlords, few good ones should be condemning them rather than mitigating for blood sucking enemies of humanity, and authorities cracking hard without considering so called social status of people in this business.

I have to agree with you and respect the decision of the Judge.

Sometimes I feel we are harsh on Landlords. Yes, they have a duty to ensure their properties are maintained, but at the same time have to allow their tenants privacy and rely on them to report faults.

As you rightly state, I don't know what the Tenancy agreement contained, but I assume it would be a standard Tenancy which places responsibility upon the Tenants to report faults.

I don't know if these faults had been reported, if they had then shame on the Landlord. But let's be honest not all Tenants are little darlings ;-)

Yes I accept that all tenants may not be little darlings, as in every walk of life there are both good and bad people.

But in my experience of having looked into many cases, during my active participation in public life, I came across many bad private landlords and only few bad tenants.

If Local authority's officers do more regular inspections of let properties, not only unbiased picture will emerge, but they could also have better knowledge about who are the bad landlords, and few other badies they are dealing with.

Real answer to the problem is to resolve the shortage of housing, which even Tory Prime Minister McMillan knew how to resolve, building affordable council houses. Sadly even party of Attlee who started that programme failed to appreciate that when they were in power for 13 years, and current crop in power is hardly any different.

Paramjit Bahia wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:

Paramjit Bahia wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:

HillsidePaul wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

So if someone who doesn't understand their rights or isn't an expert in fire safety doesn't report something to the landlord it's their fault if they die in a fire!

I don't think you really thought that one through.

The law is very clear, if you wish to profit from renting a property out YOU are responsible for meeting and maintaining the legal safety requirements of the property.

I do agree with you. But if a Landlord lets a property which was in good condition upon the start of the Tenancy, the contract will place the responsibility upon the Tenant to report any faults.

If the Tenant allows the property to fall below standard without reporting it then it's becomes their Tenants responsibility.

The Tenancy agreement would state this.

I suppose you are assuming what was in agreement, if that was legally binding situation the Court would have considered it.

So without any disrespect to you I rather respect the verdict delivered by the judge.

Then apart from legality there is also something called morality, which is rare when it comes to most if not all landlords.

As HSP has very rightly pointed out it is responsibility of the landlord. Mohinder Kenth failed that test in the court of law, so very rightly got fined.
Period.

This case is less than even tip of iceberg. There are too many bad landlords, few good ones should be condemning them rather than mitigating for blood sucking enemies of humanity, and authorities cracking hard without considering so called social status of people in this business.

I have to agree with you and respect the decision of the Judge.

Sometimes I feel we are harsh on Landlords. Yes, they have a duty to ensure their properties are maintained, but at the same time have to allow their tenants privacy and rely on them to report faults.

As you rightly state, I don't know what the Tenancy agreement contained, but I assume it would be a standard Tenancy which places responsibility upon the Tenants to report faults.

I don't know if these faults had been reported, if they had then shame on the Landlord. But let's be honest not all Tenants are little darlings ;-)

Yes I accept that all tenants may not be little darlings, as in every walk of life there are both good and bad people.

But in my experience of having looked into many cases, during my active participation in public life, I came across many bad private landlords and only few bad tenants.

If Local authority's officers do more regular inspections of let properties, not only unbiased picture will emerge, but they could also have better knowledge about who are the bad landlords, and few other badies they are dealing with.

Real answer to the problem is to resolve the shortage of housing, which even Tory Prime Minister McMillan knew how to resolve, building affordable council houses. Sadly even party of Attlee who started that programme failed to appreciate that when they were in power for 13 years, and current crop in power is hardly any different.

If only Tenants read the agreement that they sign and work in partner with the Landlord eh?

Inform Al wrote:

Rockhopper wrote:
Unless the Local Authority actively inspect properties landlords will continue to avoid the legal requirements of letting a property.
It wouldn't be difficult to compile a list of properties and ensure the various legal
requirements/certifi


cates have been met by the landlord.
After all it's only a short walk across the park from your Council Offices to St Marys?

If this post was aimed at mine I should point out that I do not live in the St Mary's area and the nearest Local Housing Office, on the rare occasions it is open, to the sheltered accommodation in which I reside is over 4 miles distant. Also the council is supposed to inspect all voids before re-letting. In my case they failed twice, that's a 100% record.

'Inform Al' the post was not aimed at you.
It was in relation to action the Council should be taking against privately rented properties.
With regard to Local Housing Offices I agree the opening times are stuck in the last century.
What other organisation still closes at lunchtime? the staff obviously haven't heard of using a rota to cover lunchtimes like every other business does!

There must be more to this story. A Landlord has responsibilities so far as regular annual maintainance of fire alarms, Gas Safety inspections etc. Other than the legal checks Landlords should allow Tenants the privacy as provided under the Tenancy agreement which is a standard agreement.

The blame doesn't always stay with Landlords as the Tenants are also liable under the agreement/contract.

IronLady2010 wrote:
There must be more to this story. A Landlord has responsibilities so far as regular annual maintainance of fire alarms, Gas Safety inspections etc. Other than the legal checks Landlords should allow Tenants the privacy as provided under the Tenancy agreement which is a standard agreement.

The blame doesn't always stay with Landlords as the Tenants are also liable under the agreement/contract.

There is no more to this story.
All relevant information in this case was put before the Court and Mr Mohinder Singh Kenth was found guilty.
Case closed.

IronLady2010 wrote:
Surely it's the responsibility of the Tenants to advise the Landlord of problems.

A Landlords role is to allow his/her tenants privacy and be there when things go wrong.

Why has it taken the Police to report this after a fight, what happened to the Tenants asking the Landlord to fix the issues before hand?

I actually know this Landlord and he is a kind Gentleman.

Agree, really nice gentleman, shame about the tenants wrecking his property and him having to pay!

Rockhopper wrote:

IronLady2010 wrote: There must be more to this story. A Landlord has responsibilities so far as regular annual maintainance of fire alarms, Gas Safety inspections etc. Other than the legal checks Landlords should allow Tenants the privacy as provided under the Tenancy agreement which is a standard agreement. The blame doesn't always stay with Landlords as the Tenants are also liable under the agreement/contract.

There is no more to this story. All relevant information in this case was put before the Court and Mr Mohinder Singh Kenth was found guilty. Case closed.

Err... I think you could make that comment about any verdict in a court case