A FORMER Wellington man has been branded a “rogue landlord” by Somerset Council after losing a bid to appeal a £35,000 fine for breaching housing laws.
Somerset Council brought a prosecution against Darren Jarman, 52, for operating eight houses of multiple occupation without a license to do so.
Jarman was prosecuted under the Housing Act of 2004, which requires landlords to apply to their local authority for a license if they intend to rent a property to five or more occupants with shared facilities.
Taunton Magistrates Court handed down a massive £34,640 bill to Jarman over the beaches which concerned addresses in Holford Road, French Weir Avenue, Parmin Way, Bossington Drive, Salisbury Street, Grays Terrace and Lambrook Road, all in Taunton, and one in Gravelands Lane, Henlade.
Jarman since lodged a bid to overturn his sentence and conviction, but the appeal has now been dismissed by a judge.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Somerset Council described Jarman as a “rogue landlord” and said it had a responsibility to take “robust action” when landlords fail to abide by the law.
The council said in a statement: “Last year, Somerset Council successfully prosecuted a landlord for breaching Housing laws by failing to licence their various properties.
“The landlord since appealed their conviction and sentence, but earlier this month at Taunton Crown Court, sitting in Worle, a judge dismissed the appeal.
“In a statement, the Judge was clear that the landlord was operating eight Houses of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) properties without a licence, and continues to do so without a reasonable excuse, therefore the guilty conviction is valid and stands.
“The Judge adjourned the Crown Court to August for another hearing to review the sentence imposed at the Magistrates court, so they can fully investigate the landlord’s financial situation to ensure the sentence is proportionate.
“Somerset Council has a responsibility to protect tenants and ensure homes are safe, and the council’s statutory duties allow it to take robust action when landlords are not adhering to the law.
“The Council’s Private Sector Housing Team work to ensure residents live in homes that are safe, healthy and appropriate for their needs.
Jarman previously pleaded guilty to eight breaches of the Housing Act.
Jarman’s property portfolio also extends to Wellington, where he owns the run-down former TocH building in North Street, which has remained scaffolded and vacant for a number of years.
It is understood local authorities have previously intervened to force work to be carried out when the building posed a hazard, as it did in 2017 when tiles began to fall from the roof.
But it appears Somerset Council cannot force the owner to renovate the exterior of the property unless it poses a clear safety risk.
Somerset Councillor Andrew Govier said: "I think the council are limited in what they can do. It is like the former E. J Teare newsagents, the council intervened to make it safe but can't do much more.”