A Southampton landlord has been fined nearly £40,000 for four offences relating to poor housing conditions and management of a house in multiple occupation (HMO).

Southampton City Council brought a successful action against Mr Askar Miah, 52 from Chilworth in Southampton, for failing to obtain a HMO mandatory property licence and for four breaches of HMO Management Regulations.

Mr Miah was ordered to pay a £36,000 fine, a £15 victim surcharge, and £3,815.94 in costs, all totalling £39,830.94.

Councillor Warwick Payne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Sustainability, said: “This is one of the worst cases our officers have seen and I am delighted with this conviction. The council is working hard to bring rogue landlords to justice and it welcomes this level of fine imposed by the Court, which was substantial reflecting the seriousness of this case.

“We remain keen to work with local landlords to ensure rented homes are safe and well managed, but will robustly tackle those who are letting dangerous and badly managed homes, which impact on tenants and local communities.”

Environmental health officers acted on a complaint about Mr Askar Miah who owns and manages accommodation above a restaurant. They found seven bedrooms over the three floors, with no working fire alarm, escape routes were blocked, there was poor structural fire separation, the shared areas were dirty and in poor condition, windows were broken, there were mouse droppings on a dirty, greasy cooker which tenants were expected to use, the staircase was dangerous and there was a severe damp problem.