Haringey Pest Control News:
Landlords cockroach problem by paulg on 04/03/2012 |
A private landlord in Haringey has been fined for allowing his tenants to live in what Newham Council has described as a “hell-home.” The landlord from Walthamstow, admitted eight offences of failing to keep the flat in good and clean decorative repair. Horrified housing enforcement officers discovered the filthy, mouldy flat, which had a hole in the staircase leading into a workshop below. They found exposed wires, kitchen cupboard doors off their hinges and an infestation of cockroaches. The cockroaches were that numorous they had spread to neighbouring premises. The problem was only brought the councils attention when neighbours reported seeing cockroaches in their kitchen. When pest control officers went to inspect the reporting property, they knocked on neighbours flats to see if there was any activity with them. When the tenant of the infested property opened their door, cockroaches were seen straight away. It was then that the councils environmental health officers were called. A council spokesperson said: “We want to ensure that private sector rented properties are well managed and meet a good standard. There are good landlords in Newham and we want to work with them. Unfortunately there are also some bad ones and these are the ones we are targeting. We will never accept private sector tenants being directly exploited by landlords who force them to live in dangerous and unacceptable conditions.” The landlord was fined £1,750 and ordered to pay costs of £600. The flat has been deemed unfit for safe living and he has been ordered to do all repairs and to rid of the cockroaches within three months or face possible imprisonment. |