A ROGUE landlord who risked his tennants' safety by failing to take fire precautions was slapped with a massive fine.

Mohammed Asif Shaffait ignored regulations and did not install self-closers on seven fire doors in his three-storey House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

His negligence meant flames would have swept throughout the property if a blaze had erupted.

When council officers investigated the home on Erleigh Road last August, they also found Shaffait had failed to display correct documents, including a manager's name, address and telephone number.

Shaffait, of Fatherson Road, Reading was ordered to appear at Reading Magistrates' Court where he was fined £4,000.

He was also forced to pay £1,208 in prosecution costs.

Councillor John Ennis, Reading Borough Council's lead member for housing, said: “It is simply not acceptable for landlords of HMOs to flout regulations when it comes to the safety of their tenants.

“I am glad that out Private Sector Housing Team, with the support of our lawyers, are there to stick up for private renters and take action against the minority of landlords who fail to put in the required safety precautions.”