A LANDLORD has been prosecuted for fly-tipping after dumped rubbish was traced back to a property he owned.

In November 2019, a large number of bin bags were found on Park Bridge Road by the River Medlock. 

Environmental Enforcement officers attended the scene and were able to trace the waste back to an address on Hollins Road. When they visited the property, they found there were no waste bins and the electric meter was dangerous and needed to be replaced.

Registered landlord Roger Howarth was told to order the tenants new waste bins and to replace the electric meter.

A follow up visit found bins had still not been ordered and instead waste had been piled up in the rear yard, while the electric meter was yet to be replaced and so officers were forced to resolve this with the energy supplier.

A third visit found bins had still not been ordered and waste was still piled high, leading the council to open legal proceedings against Mr Howarth for failing to heed their warnings

At Manchester Magistrates Court, Howarth was found guilty in his absence of breaching section 95(2) of the Housing Act 2004 by not complying with his selective licence conditions.

The 68-year-old was fined £1,000, with a £100 victim support, plus costs of £1,575 were awarded to the council.

READ MORE: Oldham Council cleans up 25 tons of rubbish in Alexandra

Councillor Hannah Roberts, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: "This prosecution is a good result and is down to the hard work of officers who followed up a report of fly tipping and have made a sub standard home safe.

"Oldham has many good landlords, but this case is a warning to those who don’t meet obligations to their tenants that we will take action to make things right - and will prosecute if necessary.

"It is much more expensive to lose in court than to be a decent landlord."

To contact Environmental Health, who cover issues affecting homes and public spaces, email them at ENVhealth@oldham.gov.uk or call them on 0161 770 2244.