Regular readers will know I like to highlight stories about disreputable landlords caught in the act of abusing their responsibilities to tenants, mainly because I feel it is wrong and that as a landlord we have certain responsibilities to ensure our properties are not putting tenants lives in danger.
So I was interested to read a story in the news today about a landlord operating as a limited company who had converted a seafront hotel, located in a prime area of Great Yarmouth, into illegal bedsits. The former hotel had ceased operating as a bed & breakfast some years previously, and in order to turn over a nice profit, the new owners had done a quick renovation (failing to heed fire safety regulations of course) and let the rooms out to a motley collection of tenants.
When council inspectors first visited the property, they gave the company director, Mr Siaulys, lots of helpful advice on how to fulfil his responsibilities as a good landlord and obtain the correct licenses. Unfortunately he decided not to bother and when a further inspection was carried out, Mr Siaulys was found guilty of a number of offences and the twenty permanent residents at the property were moved out for their own safety.
But crime never pays and although Mr Siaulys and his company have probably made an absolute fortune from letting the property illegally over the last few years, under the Proceeds of Crime Act (2002), a confiscation order for £40k was made in favour of Great Yarmouth Borough Council.
