BROKEN toilets and blocked fire escapes have landed two landlords of a filthy house of multiple occupation (HMO) with big fines.
When council officers visited the Oxford Road property last summer they were confronted with a host of problems.
As well as faulty fire alarms, damaged plug sockets and dangerous second floor windows, the HMO's fire escapes were obstructed and the toilet's flush inoperable.
Managers of the property Abdullah Yaqubi and Said Kamel Hashemi, both 42, admitted 14 offences at Reading Magistrates' Court on February 10 and were slapped with a £8,800 fine.
Councillor Richard Davies, Reading’s lead member for housing, said: “HMOs are an important part of the housing market in Reading but they are subject to certain regulations for the safety and comfort of tenants.
“Most landlords abide by these rules but those who do not and fail to respond to contact by the Council’s officers can expect to face the consequences.
“This is a good result for Reading’s Private Sector Housing and Legal teams and I hope it makes other property managers and landlords who are tempted to flout the rules sit up and take note.”
Other offences committed by Yaqubi, of Winslet Place, and Hashemi, of Tern Close, involved dirty shower trays, not displaying their contact details in the property and failing to keep the house clean and adequately decorated.
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