Warning served to landlords over mouldy homes

A landlord was convicted for failing to comply with an improvement notice under Section 30 of the Housing Act 2004

A city council hopes a prosecution of a landlord over a mouldy flat "will serve as a warning" to people who put tenants at risk.

Two adults and two children endured damp conditions in their bedrooms and no hot water in the first-floor bathroom of their home, Peterborough City Council said.

The authority's housing standards team received a complaint about ongoing disrepair and served an improvement notice, with the landlord being fined £2,500 and other costs for not completing the work.

Alison Jones, the cabinet member for housing and communities, said: "I'm confident that this prosecution will serve as a warning to the small minority of landlords who put their tenants at risk and flout the law."

The family endured damp and mouldy conditions and a lack of hot water, the council said

She added: "Landlords play an essential role in providing safe, warm and healthy homes to the residents of Peterborough.

"Whenever we are made aware of landlords breaching the law we will look to take enforcement action under the range of powers available to us."

She added: "We [the council] would also point out to landlords who are unsure of their responsibilities to please contact our housing team who are always happy to advise."