The landlords of a property that a judge described as "not fit for human habitation" have been fined thousands of pounds.

Hillingdon Council said the flats in Northwood "failed to meet basic safety requirements" and were "littered with hazards".

In court on March 4, Robin and Susan Kirstein, of Berkley Avenue in Greenford, west London, were fined a total of £27,000 after admitting to 30 offences between them.

Uxbridge Magistrates' Court heard the four-storey building in The Broadway, split into three flats and a shop, first came to the council's attention in July 2020 during an inspection.

Officers discovered an infestation of flies and maggots after a leaky pipe caused raw sewage to build up outside the home.

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The court was told the building had mould, no lighting, no heating, missing door handles, windows that didn't open, missing stair handrails and broken smoke alarms.

The council says it revisited the building in November 2020 and said the situation had "possibly worsened". A third inspection four months later revealed council improvements notices had not been complied with.

The landlords were taken to court after the Kirsteins refused a council request to provide copies of their lease, tenancy agreements, details of the management arrangements for the property, and gas and electrical certificates.

During sentencing, District Judge Wright described the pair as "in way over their heads" and having "turned a blind eye to their responsibilities", adding: "You had a responsibility not to leave tenants in the property that wasn't fit for human habitation."

Mr Kirstein, 55, who admitted to 13 offences, including poor management of the property, lack of adequate waste facilities, lack of fire precautions and failure to provide information, and Mrs Kirstein, 60, who admitted 17 offences, including failure to carry out works to the property and failure to carry out drainage works to ensure sanitary conditions, were fined £17,000 and ordered to pay Hillingdon Council's prosecution costs of over £10,000.

Cllr Eddie Lavery, Hillingdon Council's cabinet member for environment, housing and regeneration, said: "This couple showed scant regard for the welfare of tenants who should quite rightly have an expectation of living somewhere that meets decent standards.

"This property not only fell well below that mark but was riddled with hazards and dangers that could have proved disastrous.

"This sentencing serves as a warning to any rogue landlords that we'll take tough measures to ensure homes in our borough are safe and suitable for the tenants."