A lettings agency and two directors have been ordered to pay over £25,000 after being convicted over a four-bedroom home containing up to 27 residents.
Jay and Ralph Bernard, directors of Masons Estates in Ipswich, had denied managing the property as an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation.
They also denied failing to respond to notices requiring information, along with 17 breaches of the Housing Act, including failure to maintain a fire escape.
However, they were convicted of all counts last month following prosecution by Ipswich Borough Council. The prosecutor, Joe Bird, described conditions as “squalid and dangerous”.
On behalf of the defendants, it was argued that they had not known about the state of the property and were unaware of the occupants until the day that all were evicted. The local paper reports that their status is part of an ongoing investigation.
At sentencing last week, Masons Estates was fined £10,000 plus £7,847 costs; Jay Bernard was fined £3,500 plus £1,500 costs, and Ralph Bernard was fined £1,500 plus £500 costs.
All three will also have to pay a £170 victim surcharge.
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