Northampton landlady fined more than £12K after tenants found living in ‘hazardous conditions’

A landlady has been fined more than £12,000 after multiple serious hazards were found in her property.

Alle Sabboth’s rental house in Markham Close, Duston was first inspected by Northampton Borough Council officers in December 2018.

Faulty door locks, inadequate plug sockets and holes in the ceiling, which are all category one hazards, or ‘serious hazards’, under section 11 of the Housing Act 2004, were found at the property.

Ms Sabboth was issued an Improvement Notice, but when officers returned a year later they discovered works had not been carried out and tenants were still living in the same conditions.

For failing to comply with the notice, the landlady was issued with a £12,400 civil penalty in January this year.

Ms Sabboth submitted an appeal against the penalty after the deadline, which was refused on the grounds that she failed to provide a good reason for the late appeal.

Councillor Stephen Hibbert, cabinet member for Housing, said: “We are taking a hard line against landlords who do not take their responsibilities towards tenants seriously, and will use the most stringent measures available to ensure necessary improvements are made in cases where they are neglectful.

“Unbelievably, this is not the worst property we have investigated and taken action against, which is why I strongly urge landlords to ensure they are fulfilling their duty of care to their tenants.”

The council is now able to enforce a sale on the property and remove Ms Sabboth as the landlady.

Tenants will also be able to apply to a First-tier Tribunal for a rent repayment of up to one year, with the council’s support.

Mrs Sabboth will still be able to act as landlady in future, however the council could seek a banning order preventing her from operating properties permanently if she commits a repeat offence.

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