CAMBRIDGE City Council has secured a banning order against a rogue landlord who was found guilty of failing to comply with legal instruction to keep his tenants safe. 

The council prosecuted Paul Sanderson of Mowbray Road for failing to comply with an improvement notice served on him for poor housing conditions, including lack of heating and inadequate fire precautions at a house in multiple occupation that he let out on Perne Road.  

The banning order was granted on 24 March by the First Tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) at the County Court in Cambridge. Mr Sanderson is now banned from letting property, engaging in letting agency work, or engaging in property management work in England for a period of 30 months. 

If the order is breached, penalties can include imprisonment for up to 51 weeks or a court fine, or both – or a Civil Financial Penalty of up to £30,000. 

In addition, Mr Sanderson has been added to the national Rogue Landlord Database to ensure that other local authorities are aware of his conviction to prevent him from operating in other areas of the country. 

Cllr Mike Todd-Jones, Executive Councillor for Housing, said: “The majority of landlords in Cambridge provide decent and safe homes for their tenants – however, a minority continue to exploit their tenants and let sub-standard housing. 

“This case demonstrates that the council will take action against rogue landlords and we will use all the powers available to stop criminal landlords from operating in Cambridge.”  

If any Cambridge resident has concerns about the conditions in a rented home in the city, they can contact the council’s Residential Team, Environmental Services at env.health@cambridge.gov.uk or by calling 01223 457900.