A Darlington landlord had been fined for the second time after allowing people to continue living in his property after it had previously been declared too dangerous for occupation.

Police were called to a house on Corporation Road, Darlington owned by Shahinur Choudhury after reports of anti-social behaviour. They discovered four people living in squalid conditions, without running water and among piles of waste.

Choudhury appeared before Darlington Magistrates Court where he admitted one charge of failing to comply with the Housing Act. He was fined and ordered to pay court costs of £525.

David Burrell, private sector housing manager at Darlington Borough Council, said: “The landlord continued to rent out the property despite knowing that it was not safe for tenants to live in. He endangered not only his tenants but also those of neighbouring properties.

“This should serve as a warning to any private landlords who fail to ensure that their property meets basic standards – this will not be tolerated in Darlington.”

The house, which was registered as a house of multiple occupation (HMO), had been prohibited for use as a HMO by housing officers from Darlington Borough Council in August 2012 due to the dangerous living conditions inside.

The private prosecution brought by the council was the second time Choudhury had appeared before magistrates for allowing people to live in the property despite its dangerous state. He was fined £3,300 by magistrates in March 2013 after admitting 11 offences under the Housing Act, which included not having a working fire alarm, blocked fire escapes and dirty and damp living areas.