Property company in the dock for fire safety failings

GAP Properties (Yorkshire) Ltd, who is based in Doncaster, was represented at Beverley Magistrates Court by director George Plant, who pleaded guilty on its behalf to two counts of failing to comply with improvement notices served under the Housing Act 2004. 

The prosecution was brought to court by East Riding of Yorkshire Council's private sector housing team who had first received complaints from tenants at the property in October 2020. 

Following the complaints, an inspection took place and officers found the safety of the tenants was compromised as there were no smoke or heat detectors, there was also a collapsed ceiling, no lighting in the hallway as well as windows and patio doors that would not open or lock properly. 

The company, via Plant, was asked to deal with the issues and despite assurances repair and safety work would be carried out, further inspections carried out by housing officers in December 2020 and January 2021 saw the requests had been ignored. 

Legal notices were then served on the company which were also not complied with and court proceedings issued. 

GAP Properties (Yorkshire) Ltd was fined a total of £20,000, ordered to pay costs of £3,419.57 and a victim surcharge of £190. 

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

"The council does, and will continue, to take robust action when the safety of tenants is put at risk due to serious hazards from the properties they are living in. "