Two Kent landlords have been fined £20,000 for leaving a flat so severely riddled with damp it posed a risk to tenants’ health.

Property owners Rattan Singh and Balbir Kaur of Henry Street, Chatham, left tenants living in damp conditions and without heating for more than two years the Maidstone Magistrates’ Court heard.

Another of their flats in the same road, Dale Street, Chatham, was also without heating. Both properties were also lacking vital fire safety alarms.

Medway Council’s private sector housing team first raised informal concerns with the owners in December 2011, and requested improvements be made swiftly. Despite follow up visits from the council’s ‘Rogue Landlord Unit’, Singh and Kaur failed to make the necessary improvements and were consequently issued with a formal legal notice in December 2013. They pleaded guilty to 19 offences including failing to comply with notices under the Housing Act 2004 and were fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £600 costs as well as a £150 victim surcharge.

Medway Council’s director for regeneration, community and culture Robin Cooper said: “Landlords must remember that the properties they are renting out must be safe and free of risks to the health of their tenants. The council will not accept tenants being placed in danger through the deliberate actions of their landlords or agents.”