Harrogate district landlords have been fined almost £110,000 for lawbreaking since 2018, Harrogate Borough Council has revealed.

The council has issued fines to landlords who have failed to comply with private sector housing requirements.

And through seven financial penalties against private landlords in the Harrogate district, the council has fined £109,089.

Trevor Watson, Harrogate Borough Council’s director of economy, environment and housing, said:

“While there are no doubt many landlords who provide excellent residential accommodation, there will sadly always be those who put the financial gain ahead of the safety of their tenants.

“This is an important reminder for landlords that as the housing authority we have the powers, and where necessary, will use them to protect tenants and residents. And hopefully encourage landlords to improve housing standards in the private rental sector.”

The most recent case the council served was on landlord Mr Jamshid Jalali-Ghazaani, for failing to comply with an improvement notice of a property on Starbeck High Street.

As Mr Jamshid Jalali-Ghazaani failed to address several hazards at the property, including excess cold, structural issues and kitchen safety, the council imposed a financial penalty of £25,000.

Mr Jamshid Jalali-Ghazaani appealed against the penalty at a hearing of the property tribunal last month (8th September), but this was dismissed and the tribunal upheld the penalty imposed by the council.

The council has successfully defended every appeal made by a private landlord against financial penalties, which include;

  • Landlord Mr Stephen Archer who received a penalty of £15,000 for failing to comply with an improvement notice requiring works at a property on Providence Terrace, Harrogate.
  • Landlord Mr Andrew Norman who received a penalty of £13,500 for failing to comply with licence conditions at a multi-occupancy house on Dragon Parade, Harrogate.
  • Landlord Kingspark Limited who received a penalty of £15,000 for failure to comply with an improvement notice requiring works at a property on Electric Avenue, Harrogate.

In addition, the council has also issued financial penalties – totalling £40,589.21 – in respect of other properties where the landlord did not appeal the penalty.

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