A ROGUE landlord has been fined £20,000 for a string of health and safety offences in one of the "worst" cases the court has dealt with. 

Reading Borough Council began its investigations into the multiple house occupancy on Oxford Road in January 2015 after one of the tenants contacted it.

Officers found a number of health and safety hazards at the property including excess cold due to the gas central heating system being disconnected on one of the coldest weeks of the year.

Officers decided tenants were at imminent risk of harm if they remained living in the property and served an emergency prohibition order.

The property was also unlicensed as a house in multiple occupation despite five people living there. 

Landlord, Hafiz Mohammed Gulfraz, 43, admitted having control of a house in multiple occupation without a licence, breach of an emergency prohibition order and intentionally disrupting the gas and electricity supply to the property as well as a string of safety breaches.

Gulfraz was charged with 12 offences including failing to ensure that the fire alarm and emergency lighting were maintained and in good working order and intentionally depriving tenants of heat and light supply.

The court said that the case was one of the worst that it had ever dealth with.

Richard Davies, lead councillor for housing at Reading Borough Council, said: “The private rented sector is large in Reading and is a rapidly growing market. Most landlords provide decent and well managed homes but there are a few who do not meet the standards their tenants have a right to expect.

"The Council will always stand up for residents who live in private rented accommodation. We take our regulatory duties for HMOs very seriously and will prosecute those who flout the law.”

Gulfraz, of Andrews Road, was also ordered to pay £3,343 as well as victim surcharge of £120 for 12 offences.