Norwich Landlord Ordered to pay £53,500

A Norwich landlord has been ordered to pay £53,500 after being prosecuted by Norwich City Council for putting his tenants at risk.

Joseph Howman from Grosvenor Road in Norwich pleaded guilty to nine offences and was deemed not to meet the standards required of a landlord.

Norwich Magistrates Court heard how Howman’s house on Unthank Road in the city was let as 10 bedsits with shared bathrooms but, upon inspection in November 2010, council officers found several problems.

The rooms had no heating, the main bathroom had no hot water, the communal bathrooms were dirty, the fire doors were in poor condition with many not working, and there were electrical hazards, including hanging wires and broken lighting.

Howman was fined £5,000, plus a £135 victim surcharge and £8,500 costs by the court and was ordered to pay £40,000.

Ellen Spencer, private sector housing officer with Norwich City Council said: “Norwich City Council is committed to making sure private tenants live in safe houses which meet legal standards. In this case the landlord risked the safety of tenants by cutting corners and refusing to make improvements.  We are pleased that the court recognised the serious nature of the offences and hope that this will send out a message that rogue landlords will not be tolerated in Norwich.”