The conviction of a rogue Dudley landlord who failed to rectify safety hazards in a property he let has been upheld.

In November 2019 Latif Rehman, of Bank Street, Brierley Hill was fined a total of £151,070 by Wolverhampton Magistrates Court for three breaches of an Emergency Prohibition Order served in relation to a house of multiple occupation in Cole Street, Netherton.

Rehman went onto appeal the conviction and maintained his not guilty plea, but the conviction was upheld by Dudley Magistrates earlier this month (June 18). His original fine was reduced to £10,000 for each offence and he was ordered to pay £2250 in costs and £170 victim surcharge, a total £32,420. A collection order was served.

Council officers originally inspected the three storey, property following a complaint from one of the tenants in February 2019. Officers found numerous hazards related to fire and electrical safety as well as risk of entry by intruders and deemed it posed an imminent risk to the safety of its tenants.

A re-inspection in April the same year found that insufficient works had been carried out to rectify the problems. Fire doors still failed to comply with regulations, access to the property was not properly controlled and damp was still present in one of the properties. Councillor Laura Taylor, cabinet member for housing and community services, said:

"I’m pleased the Magistrates upheld this conviction. The evidence against Rehman clearly demonstrates he failed in his duty as a landlord and his lack of action put people at risk.

"Our action doesn’t stop here. Now the conviction has been upheld we will be applying for an order to prevent him from being a landlord anywhere again. Rogue landlords who rent out properties of a poor standard will not be tolerated in this borough."