A landlord who left his tenant to live in a flat in such disrepair it could have killed him has been hit with the maximum fine the courts can impose.

Bobby Peters was prosecuted by Brent Council after he ignored warnings to make repairs to the property in Sudbury Court Road, Sudbury.

Willesden Magistrates’ Court heard the tenant was at home when his ceiling partially collapsed and when environmental officers visited the property they discovered numerous hazards including fire, trip-hazards, electrical, and sanitation issues.

The tenant also informed the council that a carbon monoxide alarm near the boiler for the property had previously tested positive.

Peters, from Harrow, failed to turn up at court and was given the maximum £5,000 fine and ordered to pay court costs of £855.

Cllr Margaret McLennan, Brent Council’s cabinet member for housing and regeneration, said: “I hope that this successful prosecution sends out a strong message to would-be rogue landlords in the borough that if you are negligent and if you do put your tenants at risk, then there will be consequences.”

From January 1 it will be illegal in Brent to rent a property privately to three or more people without a licence.

It will also be a legal requirement for all privately rented properties in the wards of Harlesden, Wembley Central and Willesden Green to have a property licences.

For more information visit www.brent.gov.uk/prslicensing.