A LANDLORD has been fined thousands of pounds after failing to solve a persistent leak which seeped from an “uninhabitable” flat occupied by a family into a neighbouring hairdressers.

A prosecution was brought by Colchester Council against Mohibur Rahman, 53, after complaints of extensive leaking impacting on business Hair by Edward, in Church Road, Tiptree.

Rahman was ordered to stop a persistent leak at a neighbouring flat, which council inspectors later found to be so hazardous it should not be inhabited.

The leak caused extensive mould and damage to the hairdressers.

Colchester Magistrates’ Court heard Helena Russell, a council housing officer, carried out an inspection following complaints from the owners of the hairdressers.

She said: “They complained of water leaking from the flat above their shop.

“I visited the the complainants with a health officer and there was damp to the rear of the ground floor to the right hand side of the building.

“We also witnessed several cases of moulding.”

Further investigation of the flat above the hairdressers found serious breaches of health regulations, with severe damp throughout the property.

Rahman failed to attend the hearing and in his absence magistrates found him guilty of failing to comply with a requirement of stopping a persistent leak.

He was also found guilty of failing to comply with a housing prohibition order by using a premises for residential accommodation before taking action on six category one hazards.

Lucy Lavender, chairman of the bench, said: “This matter is exceptionally serious and we have been horrified to learn these premises were not only occupied, but occupied by children.

“Mr Rahman would have been fully aware of his obligations as landlord and his unwillingness to do anything about it meant the business below were affected, as well as the residents, who were left to deal with appalling conditions.”

Magistrates ordered Rahman, of Corporation Road, Chelmsford, to pay out a total of £10,332 in fines, compensation to the complainants and court costs.