Rogue landlord is fined £70k over sub-standard bedsits

Lystra Dorval, of Oaks Lane, Ilford, was given ten penalty notices by Tendring Council relating to poor management of the homes in Hayes Road, Clacton.

The council’s private sector housing team began engaging with Dorval in April 2019, setting out what remedial works were needed to make the sub-standard properties acceptable.

Tenants also reported they were threatened with eviction for pointing out issues, while numerous complaints about anti-social behaviour and the condition of the property were made by neighbours.

Rotting waste was left piled up

In August, Dorval was told to make immediate repairs to the fire alarm, but when two days later the work was not done an Emergency Prohibition Order was issued – shutting down the bedsits – with the housing team working to rehome tenants.

Formal enforcement was begun with a final notice of work which needed completing, including addressing issues such as the faulty fire alarm, blocked fire escapes, insecure entrance doors, broken staircases, toilets not working, water leaks and dangerous electrics.

The following day a gas leak and flooding were detected after pipework was stolen, and during clear-up work further damage was revealed including floors at risk of collapse, drains blocked with rubble, and rotting waste.

The front entrance doors were insecure

The penalty notices were issued due to non-compliance and breaches of regulations.

With "slow and unsatisfactory" progress on repairs to the building prior to their closure, Dorval was then issued with the penalty notices and had her licences removed as the council determined she was no longer a ‘fit and proper person’ to run the properties.

Dorval appealed against the penalty notices, but a First Tier Housing Tribunal reached a similar decision following a hearing.

The level of fines were reduced from the original £90,000 levied by the council.

During the tribunal hearing Dorval said some work had been carried out and later damaged by tenants, and that she was a victim of the occupiers – while claiming her managing agents failed to act.

Fire escapes were blocked and rotting waste was piled up

The tribunal ruled on Monday there was not enough evidence to support that claim, with no evidence of work being carried out, and that the argument fell as Dorval herself signed up some of the occupants.

The ruling added that Dorval was “primarily culpable”.

Paul Honeywood, Tendring councillor responsible for housing, said the case would send a strong message to landlords who thought they could not maintain their properties.

He said: “We have a duty to our residents to make sure they have proper housing, whether our own tenants or those who are renting privately.

Floors were at risk of collapse

“We work closely with landlords as the vast majority want the same thing – a decent property which is good for the tenant and provides them with rental income. Sadly this was not the case here.

“We will not hesitate to take firm action – and issue fines – to clamp down on landlords who do not take care of their properties, and in turn their tenants.”

The stairs were left in a dangerous condition 

Dorval has 28 days to appeal the outcome to the Upper Tier Tribunal.