A LANDLORD has been fined £8,000 for letting one of his nine properties fall into disrepair.

Ken Herring admitted four counts of failing to comply with regulations for a house of multiple occupation (HMO) at Oxford Magistrates’ Court yesterday.

The house, in Salford Road, Marston, had unmaintained fire escapes, unsafe carpet on a flight of stairs, inadequate light fittings, and missing taps in the kitchen.

The prosecution was brought by Oxford City Council after officers seized control of the property in June, the first time such measures had been taken against a private rented property in the city.

Herring, of Horseman Close, Old Marston, was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay a £15 victims’ surcharge and £630 costs.

Despite admitting the offences, the 66-year-old, who represented himself, accused a tenant of deliberately causing three of the four issues “so she can stab me in the back so she can get a council property”.

Herring, who still owes £4,000 in court fines from previous matters, told the hearing he would be selling five of his nine properties to pay off his court debts.

After his sentence was read out he told the magistrates: “Thank you very much, I think you have been very fair.”

Outside court, Joe McManners, city council board member for housing needs, said: “We are very pleased with the outcome at the magistrates’ court today. The magistrates ordered that he pay a significant fine for his offences.

“This sends a strong message to landlords that Oxford City Council will and does take action against landlords who do not comply with the regulations relating to houses in multiple occupation.

“Mr Herring has now been prosecuted three times and has had one of his properties taken from him.”