A rogue landlord has been fined £10,000 after leaving families he rented to with “serious problems” in their homes. 

After an investigation on a three-flat property, the council found a ceiling that was not fixed after a leak, among other issues. 

The landlord Piara Singh Sehajpal, of Honeysuckle Road Buckinghamshire, ignored an improvement notice, leading the council to go to the courts. 

He was charged with failing to comply with the improvement notice and found guilty at Lavender Hill Magistrates' court on November 7. He did not show up in court. 

Councillor Mark Boyle, cabinet member for housing, public health and community safety said: “The council is committed to ensuring families in our borough have access to safe, warm, and dry housing and protecting them from sub-standard landlords. 

“This landlord was instructed to fix the issues at the property by a council environmental health officer to ensure the families in these properties, which included young children, were living in a safe and healthy home. 

“Rogue landlords should take notice that the council will not hesitate to exercise all options available to it in seeking solutions to sub-standard housing, this case makes that clear.”

The culprit was fined £10,000 plus costs to the council of £1,500 and a victim surcharge of £170. 

A collection order has been put in place and he has 28 days to make payment.