A rogue landlord is almost £4,000 out of pocket for leaving tenants living in a cold property.

Dennis Sullivan’s house in Sturla Road, Chatham, was found to have insufficient heating when officers from Medway Council's rogue landlord unit visited in September 2014.

Medway magistrates heard that they also found tenants at the property, managed by HRH Estates, were struggling to open a rooflight window in the kitchen which was 20ft high and with no means of opening it other than by jumping on a chair.

Sullivan, 55, from Bromley, failed to provide sufficient heating and a device to open the window despite requests and a formal notice served in May last year.

As a result he was taken to court.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with a notice under the Housing Act 2004 and was fined £1,500 and must pay costs of £2,270 and a £100 victim surcharge.

The council’s director of regeneration, community and culture Robin Cooper said: “This landlord ignored repeated requests to upgrade the heating in this property even when served with a notice.

"The council will continue to take action against landlords who rent out properties in poor condition and expose tenants to harm.”