South Holland District Council fine two landlords over electrics in Spalding and Sutton Bridge properties

Council bosses have fined two landlords a total of £65,000 over safety beaches.

South Holland District Council has taken enforcement action against the landlords after tenants were found to be living in properties in Spalding and Sutton Bridge with unsafe electrics.

One landlord was fined for breaches relating to five properties in Sutton Bridge while action was taken against the other for breaches relating to two Spalding properties.

The council has not named the landlords and the authority issued fines totalling £65,000 which have been paid.

Investigations into the breaches has been conducted by the council's Housing Standards Team and all properties now meet regulations.

Coun Tracey Carter, Portfolio Holder for Strategic and Operational Housing, said: "Thanks to the hard work of the council's Housing Standards team, these properties are now compliant and tenants are able to live in their homes knowing they are now safe.

"Regulations are there to ensure tenants in the private sector are living in properties which are safe and decent.

"The council takes safety concerns seriously and will always investigate issues where housing standards in the private sector are not meeting the required regulations."

The regulations require landlords to have the electrical installations in their properties inspected and tested by a person who is qualified and competent at least every five years.

Landlords must provide a copy of the electrical safety report to their tenants and if requested to the local authority. If a landlord does not comply with the regulations landlords can be given a penalty by the local authority of up £30,000.