Rogue landlords fined for dumping rubbish and furniture outside rat infested flats

An old mattress, discarded bin bags and items that attracted rats left at two north Liverpool houses have led to two property management companies being prosecuted.

Liverpool Council has taken action against two firms after they failed to clear waste at two privately rented properties in Rice Lane and Lowell Street in L4.

Among the properties was a house on Rice Lane, which was visited by city officials last November following complaints of poor conditions attracting vermin. Further issues were identified at a property on Lowell Street following an inspection in January.

Rice Lane property: During the visit to the Rice Lane address – owned by South Road Properties Ltd – council officers found an accumulation of waste including an old mattress, discarded bin bags and other items that were deemed capable of attracting pests, particularly rats. A notice was served requiring the owners to clear the waste, which was ignored.

Lowell Street property: Soft furnishings and household items had been left abandoned outside the address in Lowell Street – owned by Quirefast Limited – with a notice served to the owners also left unaddressed.

Guilty: Earlier this month, both firms were found guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court in their absence, having failed to attend the hearing. They were each fined £800, and have to pay additional costs of £719, plus a £320 victim surcharge.

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, cabinet member for neighbourhoods, said: “Parts of Liverpool are blighted by landlords who treat the outside of their properties as a dumping ground. It makes the area look unkempt and uncared for, as well as attracting vermin, and also encourages others to do the same – creating misery for residents who take pride in their area.

“We are committed to doing what we can to hold landlords to account and hit them where it hurts – in the pocket, and I am pleased that we have secured these convictions as a deterrent to others. Taking action against rogue landlords who do not treat our neighbourhoods with respect is an absolute priority for our new cabinet because we know how much of an issue it causes for our communities.”