Two owners of empty houses who failed to remove rubbish from overgrown gardens have been fined.
Laurence Burke, of Orchard House, Templelyon Redcross County Wicklow Ireland was found guilty in his absence at Liverpool Magistrates Court of failing to remove overgrown vegetation and rubbish from the front and rear garden of a house in Onlsow Road, Fairfield
The court heard the gardens were providing shelter for rats and mice and the property had become an eyesore.
In June 2013 a complaint was received that there was accumulations of waste to the front and back of the house and there was an issue with mice. Records showed that there had been a number of complaints in the past.
An officer visited the house and found that the area was being adversely affected by the property’s poor condition. He found that there was an accumulation of waste at the front of the property. A notice was served to clear the gardens but Burke did not carry out the work.
In September complaints were received from neighbouring properties that there was a real problem with mice and supported living accommodation close by to the property reported that this problem was having a particularly detrimental effect on those living there.
Despite further notices and warning letters no work was done. The work was carried out by the Council in default
He was fined £1,000 and costs of £1080 were awarded.
Also found guilty in his absence was David Marley of Hawthorne Road, Bootle
In October 2013 a complaint was received that there was fly-tipped waste and tyres to the front of a house in Priory Road ,Anfield. Records showed that there had been a number of complaints in the past. .
When an officer visited the vacant property he found that it was in very poor condition with both the front and rear gardens were overgrown and there was fly-tipping of waste and tyres. Despite notices and warning letters nothing was done.
The work was carried out by the Council in default
Mr Marley was fined £1000 and ordered to pay £800 cost.
Councillor Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for housing said “The impact of derelict houses on the local community is immeasurable and infestations of rats and mice cause untold distress.
“When refurbished both these houses would make lovely family homes and it is part of the Mayoral Pledge to deal with long term vacant houses and engage with owners to bring the properties back into use.
“In these cases our efforts were frustrated and we had no option but to take legal action – this should be a warning to those who let their vacant property go to wrack and ruin, work with us to put the property right or face the consequences”.
