A landlord received a substantial fine for permitting tenants to reside in what was described as a “house of horrors” resembling a “slum” by a judge. Phillip Range and David Kellard, along with their company Roach Estates and Property Management Ltd, were convicted of failing to comply with an improvement notice under the 2004 housing act at Liverpool Crown Court.
Liverpool City Council’s Private Sector Housing team uncovered severe problems at a property on Goodison Road in Walton during an inspection in July 2023. The issues included damp and mold stemming from damaged brickwork, broken gutters causing water leaks into the kitchen, structural collapse within the building, and a kitchen ceiling sagging under the flat roof.
Following an improvement notice served to the landlord, they were instructed to address the issues by February 2024. However, a subsequent inspection in March 2024 revealed inadequate action taken to rectify the hazards, with some conditions worsening.
District Judge Wendy Lloyd, presiding over the case, characterized the property’s state as “slum” conditions and imposed fines totaling £13,867.31. Liverpool Council’s Housing cabinet member, Cllr Sam East, expressed satisfaction that the landlord faced financial consequences for negligence in maintaining a decent property standard.
Liverpool City Council initiated 33 prosecutions against landlords in 2024, resulting in fines amounting to £342,584. Additionally, 11 Civil Penalty Notices were issued, with fines totaling £59,862.50. Cllr Sam East reiterated the council’s commitment to addressing such issues and encouraged tenants in privately rented properties to report problems through the council’s website referral form.