A LANDLORD has been fined by magistrates for letting his tenants live in squalor with filthy toilets, water leaks and cables trailing dangerously across stairways.

David Gibney lives in a large detached house with two cars in the drive in Okus Road while just down the road he rents out a house that stands out from the others because it cries out for some attention.

In a hearing at Swindon Magistrates Court Gibney admitted failing to comply with a notice served by Swindon Council's environmental health department in respect of his multi-occupied property in Ashford Road.

He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay costs of a further £1,000.

The court heard that the standards at the house were poor with no fire precautions or means of escape in an emergency, a lack of cleaning and maintenance, including filthy toilets and bathrooms, water leaks, damaged ceilings and cables trailing across stairways.

The magistrates said Gibney had been given clear instructions and fair warning by the council as to what would happen if conditions did not improve.

They said if he had not pleaded guilty he would have faced a higher level of fine, at £1,500.

Coun Jemima Milton, the council's cabinet member for environment and property, said: "This sends a clear message that we will take action to protect vulnerable tenants.

"We do operate an Accredited Landlord Scheme but unfortunately there are still a few landlords who did not feel the need to meet the required management standards for bedsit type accommodation.

"This is not acceptable and affects the good reputation of the many responsible landlords in the borough."

Gibney declined to comment to the Adver.

The accredited landlord scheme allows tenants to check their prospective landlord is bona fide before they sign on the dotted line.

Housing law already demands that properties should meet a decent standard of repair and maintenance and undergo an annual gas safety check.

But to be awarded the accreditation landlords must fulfil a range of additional conditions proving good tenancy relations, good repair and maintenance and good management of the property.

Those with houses in multiple occupation have to carry out regular checks to ensure smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are working.

And, while the scheme is voluntary and does not mean those who decline to take part are bad landlords, the council hopes many landlords will support the initiative.

Tenants can look at the council's website, www.swindon.gov.uk and follow the links to Private Sector Housing Services to find out what they should expect from a rented property or contact the Residential Services Team on 01793 466107.

jamie Hill