Landlord jailed for letting hazardous properties to families
It follows an inspection by Environmental Health Team members
North East Derbyshire District Council Joint Environmental Health team prosecuted a landlord who let out properties in hazardous conditions with serious faults, damp and mould, as they and the Judge in court took a no-nonsense approach.
Martin Ambler, aged 58, owns properties in Chesterfield, North East Derbyshire and Bolsover and upon inspection of a property by the Environmental Health Team they found the landlord had let the property to a family which contained several category one hazards – the most serious risk to health and was infested with rats.
There was evidence of neglect and serious hazards throughout the ‘home’, with holes in walls, gaps in decaying windows, doors which could not close, external doors which leaked and allowed wind through.
As officers investigated more of his properties, another was found to have metal shutters attached to windows meaning tenants had no access to natural light for several weeks and a third property of Ambler's had become a dumping ground for fly-tipping which he failed to clear up.
In his sentencing remarks, the Judge stated, “I consider that the only appropriate punishment for these breaches is an immediate term. There has been a history of poor compliance with court orders. The offences themselves were a breach of an order.
"I did not consider there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in the light of his Martin Amber’s response which showed an unwillingness to take the opportunity to change his ways."
Ambler was jailed for 10 months.
The case comes after housing safety attracted attention of the Secretary of State for Levelling up Housing & Communities, Michael Gove, following the tragic death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak in Rochdale. He died from respiratory failure caused by chronic mould and damp that was not addressed by the landlord.
Ken Eastwood, Assistant Director of the Joint Environmental Health Service leading the case said, “This Landlord grossly evaded his responsibilities and let sub-standard property to vulnerable tenants without any consideration for their health or wellbeing. The disrepair, damp, mould and rodent infestations presented significant risks to the health and safety of his tenants."