A landlord used a manhole cover to hide a gap in the floor of a student house and left them "at risk of injury".
Trophy Homes Limited, based on Sandown Lane, Wavertree, was brought before Liverpool Magistrates' Court where the full extent of their "poorly run" homes was laid bare. The court was told how the company, run by Sean, Maria and Robert Broadhurst, had a "clear lack of regard for tenants" and failed to obtain licenses and comply with their legal obligations.
The court heard how two properties, based on Silvester Street in Vauxhall and Highgate Street in Edge Hill, had issues with safety and poor management due to ineffective fire doors, overflowing drainage in the shared living room, and intermittent electricity and gas supplies.
READ MORE: Man gouged dad's eyes after being told football 'just a game'
Trophy Homes had also placed a manhole cover over a hole in the lounge of the Edge Hill property. The company pleaded guilty to failing to apply for a HMO (Houses of Multiple Occupation) licelicensence for the homes and was fined £30k.
The company was aware of the legislation as it had been found guilty of a previous breach of the legislation in February 2020 when it was fined £45,000 for similar offences. Trophy Homes Limited was fined £15,000 for each property, plus costs of £904.43 and a victim surcharge of £190.
Referencing the previous convictions, District Judge James Hatton said the company had not learned its lesson with respect to licensing offences and described the company as one that was “not very well run” and demonstrated a “lack of regard, lack of compliance and a lack of cooperation”.
Cabinet Member for Strategic Housing and Development, Cllr Sarah Doyle, said: “Trophy Homes Limited was happy to take the rent from students, yet provided them with sub-standard accommodation that put them at risk of injury, or much worse. I am pleased that the court has imposed a substantial fine which will hopefully persuade the firm to change it ways and comply with the law in future.
“Our recently launched Landlord Licensing scheme gives us the capacity to really step up our ability to inspect private sector rental properties, and take action when it is needed. We won’t hesitate to step in when we have evidence of rogue landlords giving tenants a raw deal, and I would urge anyone who does have any information to report it via our website at liverpool.gov.uk so that we can carry out an investigation.”
READ NEXT
Killer who bludgeoned his mum to death with hammer told to pay up £100,000
Met Office forecast as snow predicted on two days this month
Young mum died after thinking her symptoms were 'baby brain'
Boohoo's £20 dress spotted on Stacey Solomon at her baby shower