Empty property’s garden rubbish costs landlord thousands

A landlord has been landed with a bill of almost £2,800 for failing to clear rubbish and maintain his vacant property.

Alex Howard was found guilty by Liverpool Magistrates Court in relation to an empty property in Anfield which had been vacant for a number of years and previously used as a cannabis farm.

Complaints were received about the house which had domestic waste including a wardrobe dumped in the front garden, and a hole in the roof that was attracting vermin.

Council officers visited the site last April and subsequently served a notice on the owner requiring them to remove the rubbish and overgrown vegetation, secure the rear yard and carry out suitable pest control treatment.

A further notice was issued after a fire at the property led to pigeons gaining access to the roof space.

Howard failed to comply with either notice, so the council carried out the work itself and instigated court action.

He has been fined a total of £1,100 under the Prevention of Damage by Pest Act and Environment Protection Act, with the court making an additional surcharge of £308 and awarding costs of £1,365.10 to the council – meaning a total bill of £2,773.10.  

Sarah Doyle, the councillor responsible for housing, says: “Landlords have a responsibility to contribute positively to the communities and neighbourhoods their properties are in. Ensuring their properties are kept in decent condition to avoid attracting unwanted attention from pests and causing Anti-Social Behaviour is the minimum we expect and if management standards fall short, we will take the strongest action.

“The landlord’s lack of action was causing issues for a neighbouring property and he showed no interest in sorting it out when he was served with a notice, so we were left with no other option than to take court action but not after works were completed, extra charges incurred and a charge put onto the property.

“Everyone has the right to live in a clean neighbourhood and where we can take action, we will.”

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