Mr Adrian Ernest Dart of Stourbridge who owns and rents out properties in Derby, has been prosecuted by the Derby City Council Housing Standards Team for offences concerning a rented house in Society Place Normanton Derby. The case was heard in South Derbyshire Magistrates Court on 11 January 2018.

The Housing Standards Team issued an Improvement Notice in September 2016, following a property inspection where they discovered serious Category One hazards and Category Two hazards. The hazards included a dangerous mains installation electrical system, which required a complete rewire, Personal Hygiene Sanitation and Drainage due to the defective sanitary fitments in the bathroom and kitchen. Fire safety, as the property had no Automatic Fire Detection fitted along with disrepair throughout the house which would allow fire to spread quickly, all of which seriously put the tenant’s lives at risk.

Other hazards present at the property were Falls on Stairs, Falls on the Level, Excess Cold, Entry by Intruders, Structural Collapse and Falling Elements, Food Safety and Damp and Mould issues.

As the Improvement Notice was not complied with, Derby City Council carried out the work in default of Mr Dart. The total cost of the default works are £8,030,00. This remains as a charge on the property until the debt is paid in full.

Mr Dart pleaded guilty at South Derby Magistrates Court to the charge of non-compliance with an Improvement Notice served under the Housing Act 2004.

Mr Dart was fined £6,500 and ordered to make a contribution of £2,436 towards the Council’s prosecution costs. He was also ordered to a pay a victim surcharge of £170.  Also as a result of the seriousness of the case and Mr Darts lack of engagement with Derby City Council Housing Standards Team, and as a deterrent to other landlords, the Magistrates added an additional fine of £20,000 the total fine being £29,106.00.

The Council’s Housing Standard Team is dedicated to improving living standards for private tenants in Derby and ensuring their safety and well-being is a top priority.