A GRAYS landlord has been ordered to pay more than £18,000 after failing to provide adequate living conditions for his tenants.

Palmview Estates and the company’s sole director Hersch Sternlicht were fined by Chelmsford magistrates for letting undersized rooms following a hearing last Thursday.

The court heard that prohibition orders were made on the four undersized rooms by Thurrock Council in September 2017.

Officers reviewed the orders in 2019 and found that two of the rooms had been let to new tenants.

Magistrates fined Palmview Estates Limited a total of £7,000, a £190 victim surcharge and costs of £3551.

Hersch Sternlicht was also fined £4000, a £190 victim surcharge and costs of £3,551.

Sternlicht plans to appeal the decision.

Barry Johnson, cabinet member for housing, said: “We will continue to target exploitative landlords to ensure that those living in shared accommodation have access to a good quality home and safe place to live in.

“Landlords and letting agents must ensure any properties they rent out are up to code and are licensed, where appropriate.

“Failure to do so is an offence which can result in prosecution or a fine of up to £30,000.”

The council also issued a Civil Penalty Notice to Sternlicht for the same property for breaches found under the HMO management regulations in 2019.