A LANDLORD from Tilehurst who let out an unsafe converted bank with no ventilation or adequate fire escape route has been fined more than £9,000.
Anthony Roy Roe, 54, of Lower Armour Road in Tilehurst, Reading,was convicted at Croydon Magistrates' Court of housing offences and ordered to pay £9,400.
He had rented out the London flat to a lone tenant, who first contacted the local council about unsafe outdoor stairs with missing steps in 2019.
PICTURED: Missing outdoor steps of flat. Pic: Croydon Council
On visiting the basement flat – a converted vault from when the building had historically been a former Barclays bank branch – inspectors also found Category 1 hazards relating to fire safety, lighting and excess heat.
These included no fire escape route except through the kitchen, a lack of natural light as there were no windows in the living room or bedroom, and no natural ventilation.
PICTURED: Bedroom. Pic: Croydon Council
Using powers under the Housing Act, the council classed the flat as unfit to live in and issued a prohibition order.
However, the Croydon Council found the flat was still being rented out after Mr Roe’s appeal was dismissed in August that year.
Once the tenant moved out of the flat in Station Parade, Sanderstead, the council began court proceedings against Mr Roe for both breaking the prohibition order and not having a licence.
Emergency accommodation was provided for the tenant, as well as financial support to help her move into a private rented place of her own.
PICTURED: Flat Pic: Croydon Council
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At Croydon Crown Court on Friday 15 January, Mr Roe was convicted in his absence of both breaking the prohibition order and failure to license the property via the landlord licensing scheme.
He was ordered to pay a £2,640 fine for breaking the prohibition order, the council’s full costs of £6,624, and a £170 victim surcharge.
Mr Roe will also be added to a London list of rogue landlords.
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