A LANDLORD who was renting out a house in ‘serious disrepair’ has been slapped with a significant financial penalty by Dorset Council.

The local authority took action after receiving a complaint about the property: officers from the council’s housing standards team visited and found the home had an electric system ‘so dangerous it had to be disconnected’.

They said the property was in ‘serious disrepair’ and that the landlord had failed to comply with their responsibilities despite being reminded of their legal duties. As a result they were fined £7,500 by the council.

Dorset Council refused to say where the property is citing 'legal reasons'.

Cllr Graham Carr-Jones, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Housing and Community Safety, said: “In cases where landlords do not follow the rules, ignore our advice, and rent substandard or outright dangerous accommodation, we will not hesitate to act. By using new powers and issuing a large financial penalty of £7,500, which was paid up by the landlord, we took fair and necessary action, which reflects the seriousness of the case. 

“I hope this fine will reassure tenants and our responsible landlords that we are committed to driving out rogue landlords and that it acts as a clear deterrent, that Dorset Council will not tolerate poorly managed rented homes.”