A LANDLORD has been ordered to pay more than £1,500 for failing to supply information about a property he was keeping in a "poor state of repair".

Arshad Mahmood, of Orford Road, Walthamstow, did not even turn up to the hearing about a property he was keeping in Peterborough.

At the hearing at Peterborough Magistrates' Court on June 14, he was ordered to pay the £1,500 fine on top of a victim surcharge of £150 plus the council’s costs.

Mr Mahmood was found guilty in his absence.

The court heard that Mr Mahmood failed to supply information requested by the city council’s housing enforcement team after repeated attempts by the team to contact him.

The request came after reports were received about a rented property on Granville Street which he owned which was in a poor state of repair.

After the case, Councillor Peter Hiller said: “All landlords in Peterborough must be fully aware of their responsibilities under the law. This case demonstrates that we will not tolerate landlords hindering our investigations, particularly when the wellbeing of residents may be at risk.”

Senior prevention and enforcement officer Gareth Brighton, who investigated the complaint on behalf of the council, said: “Every effort was made to work with the landlord in this case to ensure he complied with his statutory obligations, however he failed to engage with the council.”