Horror house landlord to pay more than £4,000

DANGER properties . . . the end terrace house in Moss Bank, Queen Street

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TENANTS at a house of horror in Shaw were forced to find emergency accommodation when an inspection revealed a shocking catalogue of errors, Oldham magistrates were told yesterday.

Council inspectors looked at three houses in Moss Bank, Queen Street in June 2014, following complaints by neighbouring residents.

Inspectors discovered electricity and gas meters had been tampered with, flammable materials had been left in the path of fire escapes, fire doors were propped open because they were missing handles, plug sockets and light switches were loose and faulty and there was mould in the bedrooms. Safety certificates for gas and electric appliances were also missing.

Landlord Stuart Mather pleaded guilty by letter to 13 charges of failing to comply with regulations.

Ruth Crimmins, prosecuting, said: “The properties were in such a terrible state that it is fortunate no one died.

“The inspectors were forced to call the fire brigade and the gas and electricity board out straight away when they started to look around and the properties were deemed unsafe for anyone to stay in.”

Oldham Council had been in contact with Mather when he first started to manage the homes, but he had declined help.

Magistrates fined Mather £1,495 and ordered him to pay costs of £2,700.