The landlord of a house in Ilkeston has been prosecuted by Erewash Borough Council for failing to rectify a number of safety issues at the property.

Adrian Dilenardo, 49, from Burley in Wharfedale, Leeds was charged with failing to comply with an Improvement Notice, served under the Housing Act 2004. The case was heard at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on 24 January where he was ordered to pay a total of £6,484.45.

Three ‘category two’ hazards were found at the property in Orchard Street, Ilkeston, during a visit by officers from the council’s Housing Renewals Team. Hazards included damp and mould on the kitchen wall of the property, which was occupied by a family which included a young child.

Outside the house there was found to be a risk of falls due to dangerous, rotting timber steps that led to a raised decked garden. In addition there was no handrail or lighting and no balustrade or guarding to protect people from falling onto the hard surface of the decked garden below.

Dilenardo had been served with the notice in January 2018 which required him to carry out remedial works to deal with the identified hazards. It required the work to be completed by 6 April 2018. However, following further inspection by council officers on 25 April 2018 the required actions specified in the notice remained outstanding.

Dilenardo, who did not attend court, was fined £5,000 by District Judge Jonathan Taaffe, required to pay a victim surcharge of £170 and the council’s costs of £1,314.45.

Danielle Hughes, prosecuting for Erewash Borough Council, stated that Dilenardo had been aware of the issues at the property since January 2017 and the council had provided him with plenty of opportunities to resolve the issues before it started the legal proceedings.

Councillor Gerri Hickton, Lead Member for Community Engagement at Erewash Borough Council, says:

“We hope this will send a clear message to landlords to keep the houses they own in order. Erewash Borough Council works closely with local landlords to maintain standards in homes in the Borough. If they fail to comply with the standards required then this outcome should leave no doubt that this can lead to prosecution for a criminal offence. People paying rent have the right to live in a safe home and we hope this case will act as a warning to other landlords who have properties in Erewash.”