Mr Yash Pal Manan of Derby, who owns 40 properties and manages a further 250  properties in Derby for other landlords, has been prosecuted by the Derby City Council Housing Standards Team for offences concerning four rented flats at a premises in Abbey St Derby. The case was heard in South Derbyshire Magistrates Court on 18 January 2018.

The Housing Standards Team issued Improvement Notices in November 2016, following inspections of the flats and common parts  where they discovered 5 serious Category One hazards and 18 Category Two hazards. The hazards included inadequate fire safety, electrical hazards, inadequate heating, damp and mould, inadequate food and personal hygiene facilities and defects to the stairs, all with the potential to have serious impacts on the health of the tenants  and also put their lives at risk.

Mr Manan was found guilty following a trial at South Derby Magistrates Court to the charge of non-compliance with five Improvement Notices  served under the Housing Act 2004.

Mr Manan was fined £16,020 for failing to comply with the Improvement Notices and  ordered to pay the Council's prosecution costs of £3,252. He was also ordered to a pay a victim surcharge of £170.  Due to the seriousness of the case, and in the words of the Magistrates  "Mr Manan's  cynical disregard for the health and safety of his tenants, the disregard of Derby City Council's enforcement notices  and as a deterrent to other landlords"  an additional punitive fine of £15,000  was added,  bringing the total fine to £34,442.00.

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.

The  Housing Standards Team commented

"Mr Manan has shown a blatant disregard his tenant's health and safety. Poor living conditions have been associated with poor health of occupiers for many years.  The Housing Standards team continue to take a robust approach to landlords who let substandard properties to tenants".