A LANDLORD has been fined £4,000 for breaching a council notice which included failing to repair a toilet.

Mr Daniel Woulfe of Rugby Road, Worthing pleaded guilty last Friday to breaching an Improvement Notice, served by the Private Sector Housing team, at Worthing Borough Council, due to the poor state of his property in Belsize Road, Worthing.

A year ago officers from the council had inspected the ground floor flat following complaints from the tenant. 

They found the one bedroom flat to be without a functioning toilet, to have penetrating damp, inadequate heating and poor fire protection.  

Coun Heather Mercer, cabinet member for customer services, said: “The shortage of private rented properties in the South East means that a minority of landlords attempt to take advantage of tenants by providing poor or substandard accommodation.

“Worthing Borough Council will always take action against such landlords, including prosecution as necessary.

“The fine imposed by the court shows that this is a serious issue and validates the actions taken by the private sector housing team to improve housing conditions.”

An Improvement Notice was served under the Housing Act 2004 last December but, despite continued assistance and advice being offered, Mr Woulfe failed to carry out the repair works within the statutory timescale. 

He was then prosecuted by Worthing Borough Council.  

At a hearing at Chichester Magistrates Court, Mr Woulfe was fined £2,700 with an added victim surcharge of £120. 

Worthing Borough Council were awarded its full costs of £1,194.34 bringing the total to be paid by Mr Woulfe is £4,014.34.