A LANDLORD who kept Dudley properties in a state of disrepair and flouted fire regulations has been ordered to pay more than £13,000 for his dangerous and neglectful behaviour.

Rakesh Sandhi, director and shareholder of Northgate (Dudley) Ltd, which rents bedsits within premises in King Street, received the fine after charges were brought against him by Dudley Council’s legal team.

The premises had been converted into bedsits and were let to a number of tenants over the last three years, netting Sandhi an income of more than £24,000 in a period of about 15 months.

Inspectors from the council’s private sector housing enforcement found the units to be “filthy and dangerous” with “total disrespect for fire safety regulations” and in some cases dangerous electricity supplies were also reported.

Sandhi was charged with 28 offences relating to failure in his duty as a manager to take safety measures, in particular in relation to keeping fire escapes free from obstruction and maintained in good order and repair.

He further failed to maintain common parts, fixtures and fittings and appliances in good and clean decorative repair. He was also charged with operating a house of multiple occupancy without a licence.

Sandhi pleaded guilty to all 28 charges, being fined £400 per offence, totalling £11,200. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £40 and full costs of £1,936.65, with a final sum of £13,176.

This is the second conviction for Sandhi in relation to this property, having been convicted for similar offences in 2014. It is also his third conviction in terms of management of multiple occupancy properties, as he was convicted for similar offences for a different property in High Street, Dudley, in 2016.

Councillor Gaye Partridge, Dudley Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We will not stint when it comes to challenging and prosecuting landlords who put their tenants’ safety and very lives at risk.

"These properties were in a shocking state of disrepair, but more significantly flouted essential fire safety regulations which are designed to help keep tenants safe.

“We are very pleased with the outcome of this case and would warn anyone who doesn’t take their landlord responsibilities seriously that we will take action.”

Any residents who fear they may be in a similar situation with their landlord can call Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.