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Landlords 'ignored' lack of rat control
05/02/2010
A lack of rat control and squalid conditions were found at rented homes in Ealing, it has been reported.
Landlords who owned and managed five bedsits in the area must now pay almost £30,000 after inspectors made the discovery, according to the Ealing Gazette.
Rats were reported to have infested the bedsits, which remained occupied by tenants.
Other problems with hot water, heating and electricity were reported to the landlords, Das Lal and Hussein Ibrahim.
But the landlords did not act after council officers visited the properties and issued notices.
Not only were the bedsits "squalid", but the conditions were said to be dangerous.
Contractors were called out because two of the boilers were condemned.
Vermin infestation accounted for £5,000 of the fine, the first payment of which must be made next week.
The men were found guilty of offences under the Housing Act and Environmental Protection Act.
Earlier this week the government set out plans to create a national register for buy-to-let owners, which aims to root out any rogue landlords.
By Michael Grady
