A landlord who let a property with collapsing ceilings, damp, mould and no heating has been fined.

Tenants at Eric Moon’s property in Pelwood Road, Camber, complained to Rother District Council’s environmental health team about the poor condition of the home they were renting.

An inspection by council officers after tenants reported the issues in December 2022 found collapsing ceilings, dangerous electrical installations, poor safety to stairs and steps, as well as damp and mould and general disrepair.

In addition, there was no heating in the property, despite the outside temperature being one degree, resulting in the internal temperature only reaching a maximum of 13 degrees.

Officers identified three severe category 1 hazards: excess cold, electrical safety, and falls on stairs and steps, and seven category 2 hazards: for damp and mould, entry by intruders, domestic hygiene/pests, food safety, falls on the level, fire, and structural collapse.

Improvement notices were served in January 2023, which required the 81-year-old landlord to make relevant repairs to the property.

READ MORE: Cafe fined more than £10,000 after rat infestation

But these were not complied with and no improvement to the property was made.

At the sentencing hearing on Thursday, June 6, at Hastings Magistrates Court, Moon was prosecuted for three counts of non-compliance with improvement notices served under the Housing Act 2004.

Magistrates said this was in matter of “high harm and high culpability”.

Moon, of Jurys Gap, Rye, was fined £20,000 with a surcharge of £2,000 and costs of £1,649.72.

Richard Parker-Harding, Head of Environmental Health at Rother District Council, said: “The current housing crisis is significantly impacting the private rented sector, but it is important that habitable living conditions are maintained.

“This was an exceptional case where there was significant risk to the health of the tenants, and of the chance of serious injury, given the lack of maintenance at the property.

“We encourage landlords to listen to tenants’ concerns and take action to reduce hazards at the properties that they rent.”