Landlord fined after putting lives at risk (From This Is Local London)

Wallington landlord fined after putting Hackbridge family's lives at risk

7:20am Friday 1st April 2011 in London News By Matt Watts

A landlord was fined £18,000 for putting a family's lives in danger by flouting fire safety rules.

Adrian Francis Lasrado, from Taylor Road, Wallington, had converted a second-floor property on London Road, Hackbridge into a self-contained flat.

But the layout was so poor there was no safe means of escape if there was a fire, prompting Sutton Council’s Environmental Health officers to impose a prohibition order banning people from living at the flat.

But despite being aware of the risks, Lasrado went ahead and placed a family with two young children in the property - in direct contravention of the prohibition order.

Planning officers also issued a separate order requiring the removal of a dormer window which had been built at the rear of the property.

He was subsequently prosecuted earlier this month and fined £10,000 for the planning offence and a maximum of £5,000 for failing to comply with the prohibition order.

Costs of £3,585 were also awarded.

The fine is one of the largest given to a Sutton landlord in years.

Councillor Jayne McCoy, Sutton Council’s housing spokesperson, said: “These were blatant contraventions, which placed the lives of vulnerable tenants at risk.

“The fines issued are extremely high and reflect the seriousness of the offences and the disregard shown by Mr Lasrado to the law and the safety of his tenants.

“We have a good working relationship with the vast majority of landlords in Sutton and this was an exceptional case, but we will not hesitate to take formal action to protect the lives of our residents.”