After the property was allowed to fall into disrepair, it was deemed unsafe for a landlord to rent out its moldy and infested house. It was a shocking state of serious disrepair.
Following a failure to reply to 11 families who requested information about the property, the owner of the Elswick home with five bedrooms was barred from letting it.
Newcastle City Council issued a prohibition order against the landlord for failing to maintain the property in a timely manner. The tenants were then forced to move out of the premises and be placed in temporary accommodation.
The council found that the home had defective double glazing and missing banisters at the stairs which could lead to trips and falls. There were also holes in the ceiling and damp.
A landlord has been banned from renting out his mouldy ‘infested’ five-bedroom house in Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne after allowing it to fall into a ‘shocking’ state of ‘serious disrepair’ (pictured)
According to the council, the house had defective double glazing, missing bannisters on the staircase which could cause trips and falls, leaking pipework, holes in the ceiling, damp, mould (pictured)
Investigators discovered that the rats also chewed through the electrical cables, making it unsafe for the supply of electricity and knocking out heating systems. This left the family without heating or hot water.
Tenants were forced to seek help from the council when the landlord did not respond to them regarding the “serious disrepair” and the “infestation”.
After the landlord refused to do the required repairs as requested by the council, the authority gave him the Housing Act 2004 prohibition order.
Before the council will lift the order, the property needs to be renovated to meet its standards.
Coun Linda, Cabinet Member for Housing and Regulation said that this was a disturbing example of landlords failing to fulfill their legal obligations. My deepest sympathies to the families who lived in this place and suffered terrible living conditions.
“Thankfully, they now have accommodation that’s clean, safe, and warm – not much to ask in the 21st Century, but some landlords fail in their duties to provide decent living conditions.
“In Newcastle, we are determined raise standards for the private rental sector. It is a growing and important segment of the housing market.
Newcastle City Council placed a ban order on the landlord for failing to perform essential maintenance.
Investigators discovered that the rats also chewed through the electrical cables, making it unsafe for the supply of electricity and knocking out heating systems. This left the family without heating or hot water.
We have had the opportunity to work with many landlords who are generally good in introducing a property licensing system. However, such instances only highlight the benefits of such schemes.
‘Landlords, who fail to maintain basic living standards, should be aware that we won’t hesitate to step in and use our powers to stop them renting out their properties.’
If he fails to follow the order, the landlord may now be facing a legal case.
Newcastle City Council expanded a property licensing programme two years back in an effort to increase living standards in private rented housing.
Landlords are required to license each of their properties in designated areas, with the money raised going into raising standards, tackling anti-social behaviour and supporting both tenants and landlords.
Newcastle is home to more than 50,000. Of these, approximately 14500 properties require licensing.