Worthing landlord fined for poor state of property

Daniel Woulfe, of Rugby Road, Worthing, was prosecuted by Worthing Borough Council after failing to make vital improvements to his Belsize Road property.

The council had issued an Improvement Notice after complaints from tenants over penetrating damp, the lack of a functioning toilet, inadequate heating and poor fire protection, but he had failed to act.

He pleaded guilty to breaching an improvement notice at Chichester Magistrates’ Court on October 2 and was fined £2,700, a victim surcharge of £120 and the council’s costs of £1,194.

Councillor Heather Mercer, cabinet member for customer services, said: “The shortage of private rented properties in the south east means that a minority of landlords attempt to take advantage of tenants by providing poor or substandard accommodation.

“Worthing Borough Council will always take action against such landlords, including prosecution as necessary.

“The fine imposed by the court shows that this is a serious issue and validates the actions taken by the Private Sector Housing team to improve housing conditions.”