A landlord has been fined more than £30,000 for failing to have valid gas safety records in place for five tenants.

Nitin King pleaded guilty to four charges of breaching gas safety installation and use regulations.

Medway Magistrates’ Court heard how as part of a joint intervention between the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Medway Council Housing Officers in 2014, statements were taken from seven tenants.

Only one was found to have a valid landlord gas safety record in place.

Speaking after the case, investigating inspector Robert Hassell, said: "Mr King has many tenants who rely on him for their personal safety. By not having the gas appliances at their properties annually inspected as the law requires he potentially put them at risk; and let his tenants down.

"All landlords must have a valid gas safety certificate in place. A gas leak or faulty appliance can cause an explosion or lead to carbon monoxide poisoning, potentially killing their tenants.

"Tenants have the right to check the gas certification when they move in to rented accommodation. Landlords have an obligation to make the certificates freely available to tenants who ask for them, and if they don't they should be reported to the authorities.

"I would like to thank Medway Council Housing Department for their support and assistance during this investigation."

King of Bredgar House, Primrose Lane, Bredgar, Sittingbourne was fined a total of £32,000, and ordered to pay £4,560.