A ROGUE letting agent which allowed tenants to live in overcrowded and poor conditions has been find more than �20,000.

Reading Borough Council investigated the property - a house in multiple occupation (HMO) - in Prospect Street, west Reading, in May last year following a complaint from a resident.

Officers found 11 people living there instead of the permitted seven.

They also discovered the fire alarm system was not working and a failed macerator causing a toilet and shower to fill up with foul water, which was leaking through to the hallway below.

Jarvis Properties was fined after admitting failing to manage the HMO properly, provide information and comply with health and safety conditions on the HMO licence.

It managed the HMO on behalf of landlord Abdul Sheikh, who was fined �500 and ordered to a �15 victim surcharge �200 costs after admitting failing to provide requested information.