The landlord of a Falmouth property has been prosecuted over failing to fulfil his legal obligation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their tenants.

The case was one of three brought by Cornwall Council’s Private Sector Housing Team and heard at Bodmin Magistrates Court on Friday  last week.

Adam Michael Penpraze of Searchlight, Love Lane, Gorran Gorras, Penryn pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an improvement notice served under the Housing Act 2004 to carry out repairs to a tenant's damaged roof within the stipulated timescale.

The court heard that the roof of the property at 1 Melvill Road, Falmouth was storm damaged in the early part of 2014 allowing water into the flat below.

In December 2014 works had still not been satisfactorily completed with water again entering the property and a section of the ceiling collapsing. Mr Penpraze pleaded guilty and was fined £700 with costs of £1,558.24 and a £70 government surcharge making a total of £2,328.24.

Stuart Kenney from Cornwall Council’s Private Sector Housing Team said: “All landlords must ensure that their properties meet minimum safety standards. Any landlord who is unsure of their obligations is encouraged to contact the Private Sector Housing Team.

We have revised our enforcement policy to provide for a more targeted and direct approach to dealing with serious hazards identified in privately rented accommodation in Cornwall for the protection of tenants. Cornwall Council, in partnership with local and national residential landlords associations, is developing a scheme where landlords will be able to work in partnership with regulators to ensure that legal obligations are met. For more details on the Cornwall Responsible Landlords Scheme please contact the Council’s Private Sector Housing Team”

Joyce Duffin, Cornwall Council cabinet member for Housing and Environment said: “These cases highlights that there are still some landlords who are not fulfilling their legal obligation to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their tenants. The Council will make every effort to advise, educate and work with landlords but those who plead ignorance or fail in their obligations can rest assured that the Council will make every effort to bring them to book.”

We value the contribution that well maintained private rented accommodation makes to the local housing market but will intervene where the property fails to meet the minimum standards required. The Council strives to work informally with landlords but when informal requests fail, the Council will use enforcement action and prosecute if necessary.”