'Rogue landlord' fined £7,000 for house mismanagement and withholding information (original) (raw)

A MAN described by council officials as a "rogue landlord" has been convicted of five counts of house mismanagement and withholding information.

Nazir Ahmed, a landlord of four rented properties in Cardiff, was fined £7,000 in his absence by Cardiff Magistrates' Court.

A spokeswoman for Cardiff County Council said, "The infamous landlord has repeatedly put tenants' lives at risk, ignoring the advice and warnings of council officials, who have inspected his houses and determined them to be unsafe.

"Since 1999 Mr Ahmed has been convicted of 21 offences under the Housing Act 1985 and associated law."

Ahmed was convicted of failure to comply with notices under Sections 189 and 352 of the Housing Act 1985 as well as failure to comply with a Requisition for Information under Section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

He had already been handed statutory notices requiring him to make the flats fit and to provide adequate means of escape from fire.

The convictions were in respect of properties he owned in the city in Albany Road, Broadway and Penarth Road.

Bethan Jones, operational manager for private sector housing, said, "It is with regret that the council has to prosecute landlords for failing to comply with basic standards of safety.

"In Mr Ahmed's case he has been a persistent offender despite warnings and we are responsible to bring him to justice.

"It is important we do not underestimate the role of the private rented sector and I am glad this case is not typical.

"For every one rogue landlord in the city there are many more willing to work with the council and with each other to provide decent and safe accommodation for private tenants in Cardiff."

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