Landlord Faces £10,250 Fine After Failing to Address Damp in South Cumbria Property

A landlord has been fined £10,250 for failing to address serious damp problems at a rented property on Barrow Island. Westmorland and Furness Council took action after repeated attempts to get the landlord to carry out necessary repairs were ignored.
Council housing officers first inspected the one-bedroom property last year after complaints from the tenant. They found severe damp that made the home unsafe to live in and issued a formal notice requiring the landlord to carry out repairs.
Despite the notice, the landlord failed to act. A follow-up inspection showed the issues remained unresolved, prompting the council to impose the fine. Officials said the landlord has now started to carry out the work, but the property will continue to be monitored to ensure all repairs are completed.
Housing standards teams across England have the power to enforce property conditions and issue fines when landlords fail to meet legal obligations. Damp and mould are recognised health hazards, and landlords are required to fix them promptly to protect tenants.
This case serves as a reminder to landlords that ignoring repairs can lead to serious penalties and ongoing enforcement action. Tenants are encouraged to report unsafe living conditions to their local council to ensure homes remain safe and habitable.