At Peterborough Magistrates' Court, Zahid Hussain was found guilty in his absence of numerous breaches of housing regulations, resulting in a substantial fine of £13,936. The charges were brought by Peterborough City Council following inspections at two properties he owns, highlighting the importance of robust enforcement action to ensure safe and properly managed housing across the city.
Council officers conducting investigations at Mr Hussain's property on Stone Lane uncovered numerous serious safety concerns, including pervasive damp and mould, significant electrical and fire hazards, and inadequate heating provisions. Furthermore, they found that none of the gas appliances, boiler, or electrical installations complied with current safety standards and regulatory requirements. Despite receiving improvement notices to rectify these issues, Mr Hussain failed to take necessary action.
The council's investigation also revealed that Mr Hussain was managing properties on St Paul's Road under Peterborough's Selective Licensing scheme but had failed to obtain the required licenses, constituting additional breaches of housing regulations. These schemes aim to ensure landlords meet certain standards and provide safe, well-managed properties for tenants.
The court imposed a £2,000 fine specifically for Mr Hussain's failure to comply with improvement notices and £3,000 fines for each of the licensing offences. Additional costs, including a £3,200 victim surcharge, brought the total penalty to £13,936. This enforcement action underscores the council's commitment to maintaining safe housing across the city.
Councillor Christian Hogg praised the successful prosecution, stating that it should serve as a warning to the minority of landlords who jeopardise their tenants' safety. He reaffirmed the council's dedication to providing safe and well-managed housing for residents and its willingness to use all available enforcement powers against those who disregard the law.