Rogue Landlord Fined For Filthy Properties

Martin Ambler, of Chesterfield, has been issued with a £2,500 fine and handed a Criminal Behaviour Order because of the poor state of his properties.

Mike Collins, who used to live in one of Ambler's flats in North Wingfield, shared pictures which show fungus growing on the walls of the property. He also said he had to throw out a number of belongings which had gone mouldy.

North East Derbyshire District Council's environmental health team received 11 complaints about waste accumulating at one of Ambler's properties. Despite numerous requests to remove the waste, Ambler failed to comply and was served with a community protection notice (CPN), requiring it to be cleared within 14 days.

Ambler again failed to comply, and the authority subsequently started court proceedings.

A spokesman for the district council said:

"Despite the defendant pleading guilty, the magistrates' court imposed the maximum fine and the chair of the bench stated that the 'appalling nature of the offence justified this unusual step'.

"The problems became so bad at properties owned by Ambler that a neighbour considered selling their property and was too afraid to let their children play outdoors due to the presence of rats.

"A tenant of a different property was hospitalised as a result of the condition in which the property was let."

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