Bridlington landlord fined in Beverley for property woes

Bryan Brown, of Skipsea Road, Beeford, appeared at Beverley Magistrates Court and was found guilty of failing to comply with four improvement notice served under the Housing Act 2004.

The court was told that an inspection of the property in The Promenade in Bridlington was carried out in November 2022 by the East Riding Council’s private sector housing team following a complaint about the poor condition of the property.

The inspection by housing officers found a number of hazards including lack of heating to a top floor flat, damp and mould and issues concerning the door to the flat. In the common areas officers found a loose handrail and uneven treads to the staircase, faulty fire detection, holes to the ceiling  and incorrect mortice locks to the main exit door. The hazards identified had  safety implications  for occupiers within  the property.

Following the inspection Improvement Notices were upon him requiring him to carrying out work to rectify the hazards.

Brown, a local builder and  landlord  was responsible for the maintenance of the property. The flat was one of three flats above commercial premises, where he should have been ensuring the property was a safe place to live.

Following  further  inspections officers found that Brown had not complied with the Notices and failed to carry out the work..

Brown was found guilty on all four counts and fined a total of £5,198.95 comprising a fine of £2,500, costs of £1,698.95 plus a £1,000 victim surcharge.

Chris Dunnachie, private sector housing manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “Throughout this case officers have advised the landlord of the need to undertake essential repairs.

“Unfortunately, these requests were ignored which led to the improvement notices being served and despite the notices he failed to act upon.

“The council will take robust action where tenant’s safety is put at risk due to serious hazards from the properties they are living in.”