A local council has warned landlords that they face the full force of the law if their housing is not in a safe condition.

Bath and North East Somerset Council issued the warning following the success of two recent prosecutions – one of which related to fire safety.

Richard Seccombe was fined £700 and ordered to pay £100 costs by Bath magistrates on 19 July for breaches in fire safety requirements under section 30 of the Housing Act 2004. Breaches at the property in Wells Road, Bath, included a lack of an alarm system and no fire door to the kitchen.

Another landlord was convicted of other, non-fire safety breaches under the same legislation.

“We have worked with both landlords over a long period of time to get their properties compliant with nationally recognised standards,” said Graham Sabourn, council associate director for housing.

“Unfortunately, they have failed to comply and following this successful prosecution [have been] hit hard in their wallets. Inaction on the part of landlords could lead to something much worse – putting the lives of tenants in danger.”