A council has taken legal action against a landlord after he allowed an asylum seeker to live in a property deemed unsafe for habitation. The landlord faces an escalating fine, which continues to rise on a daily basis as he fails to comply with the Prohibition Order issued against the property.
The house, located in Nelson, Lancashire, was declared unfit for occupation back in 2022. The property had a long list of dangerous issues, including faulty and unsafe electrical wiring, no heating or hot water, as well as cracked and broken windows. These hazards posed a significant risk to anyone living there, making it an unsuitable environment for habitation. Despite the numerous warnings, the landlord allowed an asylum seeker to live in the house, putting them in an unsafe and unhealthy living situation.
Sharaz Manzur, the landlord, was charged with breaching the Prohibition Order. Initially, he had pleaded not guilty, but during a hearing at Blackburn Magistrates Court, he changed his plea to guilty. In doing so, Manzur admitted that he had failed to ensure the safety and well-being of the asylum seeker by allowing them to reside in such an unfit property.
This case highlights the importance of landlords maintaining safe living conditions for their tenants and complying with regulations that ensure the health and safety of those who rent their properties. Failure to do so can result in severe legal consequences and growing financial penalties. The council has made it clear that they are committed to protecting vulnerable tenants, including asylum seekers, from unsafe housing conditions.
He explained to the court that he had not received any rental income from the property. Instead, the tenant was working on the property, possibly to contribute to repairs or improvements. Manzur stated that work was still ongoing and that he hoped to contact Pendle Borough Council soon to have the Prohibition Order lifted. He emphasised his intention to rectify the issues at the property and make it fit for habitation, although the court made it clear that this did not excuse his actions.
Despite Manzur’s explanations, the court found that he had blatantly ignored the Prohibition Order, which had been put in place due to the unsafe conditions of the property. The house, which had been deemed unfit for occupation in 2022, had multiple hazards, including unsafe electrics, a lack of heating and hot water, and cracked and broken windows. These were conditions that should have been addressed immediately to ensure the safety of any occupant. The court ruled that by allowing a vulnerable asylum seeker to live in such conditions, Manzur had taken advantage of their situation, placing their safety at risk in the process.
The court expressed its disapproval of his disregard for both the legal order and the well-being of the tenant. Manzur was found guilty of breaching the Prohibition Order, and the consequences of his actions were significant. Initially, he was fined £2,123 for the offence, but as a result of his guilty plea, the fine was reduced to £1,592. In addition to the fine, he was ordered to pay £687.50 in legal costs, as well as a £637 victim surcharge. In total, Manzur was required to pay £2,916.50.
This case highlights the importance of landlords complying with housing regulations and the significant penalties they may face when failing to do so. It serves as a stark reminder that providing safe and suitable accommodation is a fundamental responsibility for landlords, and ignoring such obligations can result in serious financial and legal consequences. It also underscores the need to protect vulnerable individuals from being exploited, particularly those in precarious living situations like asylum seekers.
Following the court case, a spokesperson for the council made a statement, emphasising the seriousness of the situation. They said, “This case demonstrates our commitment to tackling criminal and rogue landlords. There is no excuse for landlords who choose to ignore the law.”
The spokesperson continued, stating that the prosecution would send a clear message to the small minority of landlords who endanger tenants and exploit vulnerable individuals: “This successful prosecution will set an example to the small minority of landlords who put their tenants at risk and take advantage of vulnerable people.”
The spokesperson went on to explain the circumstances that led to the discovery of the illegal occupation. “Whilst the property was still prohibited and unsafe, we became aware that there was a tenant in occupation; an asylum seeker who had moved into the property with the agreement that he would complete the works,” the spokesperson noted. This highlighted the lack of care and responsibility shown by the landlord in allowing an unfit property to house someone in need.
Upon investigating, council officers found the tenant in distressing conditions. “Council officers visited and found that the tenant was sleeping in a tent inside the property to keep warm and had removed the gas fire so that he could light a fire to both keep warm and cook with,” the spokesperson revealed. The fact that the tenant was forced to resort to such measures illustrates the extent of the hazards present in the property. Furthermore, it was discovered that the landlord, Mr Manzur, had not only allowed these unsafe living conditions but had also signed a tenancy agreement with the tenant.
At present, the tenant remains living in the property, and the council has imposed a daily fine on the landlord. If Manzur continues to breach the Prohibition Order, he will be fined £20 per day, escalating the cost of his failure to comply with the law. This case serves as a warning to other landlords about the serious consequences of ignoring their legal responsibilities and putting tenants in dangerous and harmful living conditions.
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