Landlord banned from letting out property in 'shocking' state after failing to carry out maintenance

A landlord has been barred from letting out a property left in a 'shocking' state, after failing to carry out essential maintenance.

The five bedroom house in Elswick had problems including damp and mould, leaking pipework, and holes in the ceiling. 

The landlord has been served with a Prohibition Order by Newcastle City Council, and a couple and their nine children have been placed into emergency accommodation.

The house had defective double glazing, missing balusters on the staircase which could cause trips and falls, leaking pipework, holes in the ceiling, damp, mould, insecure front and back doors, no hot water supply in the kitchen, and no smoke detector in the ground floor hallway.

Rats had also gnawed their way through electrical cabling making the electricity supply unsafe and knocking out the heating system leaving the family with no heating or hot water.

The landlord must now refurbish the property to the council's standards before it will consider lifting the Prohibition Order and allowing the property to be rented out again.

Cllr Linda Hobson added: "We have worked with landlords, the vast majority of which are good, to introduce a property licensing scheme - but instances like this just underline the value of these schemes.

"Landlords, who fail to maintain basic living standards, should be aware that we won't hesitate to step in and use our powers to stop them renting out their properties."

The landlord could be convicted in court and subject to an unlimited fine if he fails to comply with the order.