A LANDLORD has been prosecuted after letting a couple with a young baby use a room with ‘serious fire safety concerns’.

Warrington Borough Council brought a successful prosecution against Yousaf Younas, who had not complied with a legal health and safety notice on a property he owned in the town.

Younas, of Cartier Close in Westbrook, failed to comply with a prohibition order served on him with respect to a privately rented property at 58 Fitzherbert Street in Orford.

The order prohibited the use of a ground floor bedroom adjacent to the kitchen due to serious fire safety concerns, and required works to be carried out before it could be occupied again.

After the order was served, officers found the bedroom in use by a couple with a young baby.

Younas had failed to take any action to prevent the use of the bedroom or to carry out any works recommended by the council to reduce the fire risk posed.

The matter was heard before Warrington Magistrates’ Court and Younas pleaded guilty.

He was subsequently fined £300, and he was ordered to pay an additional surcharge to fund victim services of £34 and court costs of £100.

Cllr Hitesh Patel, the council's cabinet member for environment, housing and public protection, said: “The successful prosecution serves as a warning to other landlords.

“We will not hesitate to prosecute landlords who fail to comply with legal notices and do not take the health and safety of their tenants seriously.”