A letting agent has been fined a record amount after 15 people were found crammed into an overcrowded building infested with cockroaches.

City Homes Estate Agents, in Peterborough, had pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to comply with the Management of Houses in Multiple Occupation Regulations. The landlord, Majaddad Sany Sadiq, entered the same plea.

Investigations into the property began after a renewal application for an HMO licence. An offer with the Safer Peterborough Prevention and Enforcement Service visited the property in August last year, and said he was appalled by conditions. He found 15 people living there, including a family of six living in one bedroom and a family of three occupying a storage room which the agents had been told was too small to use as a bedroom.

All 15 occupants shared one kitchen and one bathroom.

The property was found to be infested with cockroaches and to have inadequate heating. Occupants had to use plug-in appliances, and there were concerns over the electrics, fire doors and fire detection system.

After a trial last week, magistrates found the agents and the landlord guilty.

City Homes were fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £6,000 costs and a £170 victim surcharge.

Cllr Irene Walsh, cabinet member for communities, said: “This is the largest fine a court has handed out for a case brought by our housing enforcement team.”

The landlord was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 costs plus a £170 victim surcharge.