November 11, 2016 9.14 am This story is over 88 months old

Boston landlord fined over £15k for leaving tenants at risk

A rogue Boston landlord has been fined over £15,000 for leaving tenants at risk of harm after inspectors discovered his two properties were dirty, unsafe and in a state of disrepair. Ikram Mohammed Qutab, of Red Cow Hotel, 48 Wide Bargate, pleaded guilty at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 7 to over 15 offences.…
The Red Cow Hotel in Boston. Photo: Google Street View

A rogue Boston landlord has been fined over £15,000 for leaving tenants at risk of harm after inspectors discovered his two properties were dirty, unsafe and in a state of disrepair.

Ikram Mohammed Qutab, of Red Cow Hotel, 48 Wide Bargate, pleaded guilty at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Monday, November 7 to over 15 offences.

The offences related to an inspection of the Red Cow Hotel and the Great Northern which revealed grave concerns about the fire alarm system and risks to tenants.

Electricity at the Red Cow had been disconnected, with a fire escape damaged.

Fire doors were not fitted, electric sockets were damaged, internal fittings were in disrepair, a smoke detector was covered, there were trailing cables on the fire escape route and a common kitchen was dirty.

There was also damp and mould.

Inspections uncovered similar issues at the Great Northern.

The fire detection system was faulty, there were loose electrical cables, and doors, windows and kitchen fittings were either damaged or in a state of disrepair.

The bathroom was also dirty and the flooring damaged.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue said there had been a failure to take general fire precautions.

The serious disrepair and poor standard accommodation could have led to serious harm, or even death, for the occupants, magistrates heard.

Qutab was fined £6,000 for an offence relating to an unsafe external fire escape.

He was fined £9,000 for 14 charges under the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation (England) Regulations 2006.

Qutab was also ordered to pay legal costs of £1,014.82 and a victim surcharge of £120.

Councillor Michael Cooper, Boston Borough Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for housing, property and community, said: “This sounds a clear message to those prepared to ignore or take a chance with the rules around HMOs, which are required by law to be licensed and must be maintained as satisfactory living accommodation.

“It is not acceptable for doors and windows to be broken or for common and shared kitchens and bathrooms to be dirty.

“It is criminal when fire detection systems do not work, fire doors are not installed and electrical appliances and sockets are in poor condition or not properly installed so that people are put at risk.”