An unlicensed landlord whose property was found to be dangerous has been ordered to repay more than £6,800 in rent to tenants.
Ardua Limited, of 48-52 Penny Lane were convicted at Liverpool Magistrates Court of operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation and five breaches of safety regulations at a house in Bentley Road where six students were living.
Following the conviction the students were advised and supported by the City Council and five decided to apply for a rent repayment order. The Residential Property Tribunal has now awarded them a total of £6,875.
Councillor Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for housing, said: “You are 14 times more likely to die in a fire in licensable HMO than in a single family home. People who live in this type of accommodation are often the most vulnerable in society and it is imperative that the Council know where these properties are and that they are being managed properly.
“The Council will advise and support those who seek a rent repayment order in such cases and I’m pleased that these students have been successful in their claim”
At the original court hearing it was said that an inspection of the house found that that there were a number of breaches of fire safety regulations , there was penetrating dampness in bedrooms and there were numerous electrical cables and service pipe work not effectively fixed and left hanging from the ceiling.
