A landlord who failed to carry out repairs to one of his properties, resulting in a family of eight living in damp and unsafe conditions, has been ordered to pay out more than £3,000.

Mark Grant Jackson, also failed to apply to Durham County Council for a licence for the Tow Law property, despite it being a legal requirement for private landlords in that area.

Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard the 58-year-old, who has previously been linked to addresses in Richmond and Ripon in North Yorkshire, rented the property to a couple and their six children between April 2022 and October 2023 through his company, Welcome Homes.

Michael Kelleher, head of planning and housing at Durham County Council, said: “This case demonstrates why the selective licensing scheme is so important.

“No-one should have to live in substandard, unsafe accommodation and find their requests for help from their landlord or agent repeatedly ignored.”

The court heard how the tenant reported multiple problems with the property and although tradesmen were sent out to provide quotes, no work was ever carried out.

The tenant paid for many repairs himself and had the electrics checked as he was concerned they were unsafe.

He said the family lived in fear that the roof would detach, or the chimney stack would collapse during high winds.

The damp, meanwhile, was so bad it affected the children’s health.

Tow Law is one of 103 selective licencing areas across County Durham. Selective licensing gives Durham County Council powers to regulate the private rented sector, with landlords and agents required to apply for a selective licence and comply with conditions to ensure their properties and tenancies are managed effectively.

Despite holding a selective licence for another property in County Durham, Mr Jackson did not obtain a selective licence for the Tow Law house.

Magistrates heard the council’s housing team was alerted to the property by a support worker who was concerned about the conditions the family was living in.

An urgent Housing Health and Safety Rating System inspection was carried out on July 5, 2023, and a number of hazards were identified inside and outside of the house.

These included: damp and mould; excess cold; risk of entry by intruders; electrical hazards; issues with sanitation and drainage; and risks of falls associated with stairs and steps.

An Improvement Notice was sent to Welcome Homes’ registered address in Barry, Wales.

This required remedial works to address the hazards begin no later than  August 28, 2023, and be completed by September 25 that year.

On September 7, a Durham County Council housing enforcement officer contacted Welcome Homes for an update on the repairs.

He was told the request had been passed on to management but had received no further response.

The officer emailed again on September 13 and was told the company had not received the Improvement Notice, despite it being sent to the same address the Welcome Homes employee later confirmed as being correct.

On September 21, four days before the Improvement Notice deadline, Welcome Homes contacted the officer to inform him the tenant had been offered a new home and the Tow Law property was being put on the market.

On September 25, the tenant confirmed that no work had been carried out and the family was hoping to move out in a few weeks.

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The court heard that no hazards had been addressed at the point the family moved out on October 7, 2023.

During this period, the council’s selective licencing team also contacted Mr Jackson, of Rhyd-Y-Penau Road, Cyncoed, Cardiff,  multiple times to remind him of the legal requirement to obtain a licence.

He was invited for interview under caution on November 21 but did not attend, and officers later learned Welcome Homes had gone into liquidation.

Mr Jackson was charged with failing to obtain a selective licence and breaching the Housing Act 2024 by failing to comply with the Improvement Notice.

He did not attend court and the case was proved in his absence.

Magistrates imposed a fine of £1,760, a £704 victim surcharge and costs of £674.

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Mr Kelleher said: “We hope this prosecution serves as a warning that we will take action against those who fail to fulfil their duties as a landlord.

“Selective licensing is in place to protect both tenants and landlords within the private rented sector.

“I would encourage anyone who is renting or considering renting a property in County Durham to find out more about the scheme and make sure they have the correct licences in place.”