A group of students in Leeds have been awarded thousands of pounds in compensation after landlord neglect meant there gas supply was cut off for nearly two weeks.
There was no heating, hot water and no hob to cook on at the home in Regent Park Terrace, Hyde Park, for 11 days after a the property firm failed to carry out repairs.
The reluctance and inaction of the landlord in addressing the fault with the supply meant the gas was cut off by the supplier for safety reasons.
The tenants were also threatened with eviction both verbally and in writing, and Planas Properties Ltd ignored Leeds City Council's demands to take action immediately to reinstate the gas supply.
Planas Properties, which promises a 'personal service' from an 'independent, family run business' on their website, have now been fined £12,037, including costs, by magistrates.
The firm must also pay £4,500 compensation, to be split between the nine students.
Following enforcement action taken by the council, Planas Properties Ltd pleaded guilty at a hearing at Leeds Magistrates Court to the offence of unreasonably causing the gas supply to the HMO to be interrupted, contrary to HMO Management Regulations.
Leeds City Council's executive member for communities Cllr Debra Coupar said the ordeal resulted in 'considerable distress' for the students.
She said: "Landlords have a responsibility in law and to their tenants to ensure that they adhere to and comply fully with the licensing regulations they are expected to meet when renting out properties.
"In this particular case they fell well short of the standard expected, which is why we pursued this action through the courts that resulted in the court ordering them to pay over £12k.
"We have a range of enforcement tools at our disposal, and I want to send out the clear message that we will seek to use them, if as in this case, legislation has been disregarded by a landlord."
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