Council secures landmark criminal behaviour order against landlord

Wolverhampton City Council has secured what is understood to be the first Criminal Behaviour Order against a landlord subject to a Housing Act prosecution.

The defendant, Jaspal Singh Sahota, of Blackpool, was last week (7 April) made subject to the order by Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court. The CBO will run until 2026.

The court heard that Sahota had been causing harassment, alarm and distress to his tenants through the poor standards and management of his privately rented properties in Wolverhampton.

The defendant was prosecuted for breaches of notices issued under the Housing Act 2004.

Under the order he must appoint a third party agent by 1 June this year to manage his properties on his behalf, subject to approval by the city council.

Sahota is also required to submit to the council a list of all his properties and his interest in them for rental purposes.

If he does not comply with the order, the defendant will be in breach of the order, and could be imprisoned for up to five years and/or face an unlimited fine.

Lesley Roberts, City of Wolverhampton Council Strategic Director for Housing, said: "This is an excellent result and shows that we are determined to use whatever legislation we can in order to protect our residents from rogue landlords.

"We are incredibly proud of the work our housing officers do to ensure housing standards are maintained across the board.

"As a council we have a wide package of housing measures in place aimed at improving standards across Wolverhampton and this case illustrates them being put into action."

Barrister David Armstrong of Derwent Chambers appeared for Wolverhampton.