Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Team from a report by The Negotiator. Read the original article for full details.
Landlord Fined £28,500 Over Shocking Property Conditions
A landlord has been fined £28,500 after the mother of a newborn baby and a child with disabilities were found to be living in a property blighted with damp and mould, no heating or hot water, and electrical issues. Kristoffer Jon Dalziel, 34, sole director of Dalziel Ventures, was found guilty following enforcement action by Durham County Council.
Durham County Council's selective licensing team carried out an informal inspection in December 2025 after being contacted by the vulnerable household in Annfield Plain, which claimed it had no heating due to a broken boiler. A report was sent to Dalziel notifying him of the problems and stating that improvements needed to be made within one month. An email from Dalziel advised that his contractor was not willing to proceed due to issues at the property.
The council said it attempted to facilitate constructive communication, agree access arrangements, and help the landlord progress with the works. Dalziel and his contractor were also asked to confirm when works were proposed to start. Further serious welfare concerns were raised within the household following the hospitalisation of the tenant's disabled child.
The council was then told that works were due to start in January 2026 and it helped the tenant prepare the property. However, following inspection and survey in February 2026, it was found that no repairs had taken place and that multiple hazards remained, including excess cold, damp and mould, carbon monoxide, and electrical issues. Dalziel was served with a Section 11 and Section 12 Housing Act 2004 Improvement Notice.
After a warning in early March 2026 of potential legal consequences if works remained outstanding, Dalziel informed the council that the tenant was moving out, although no confirmed move had been arranged. After an inspection in late March, works had still not been completed and there was no contact from Dalziel.
During interview, he accepted that he had been given an opportunity to fix the problems before formal enforcement action was taken. He also admitted that he had not personally attended the property after becoming landlord, other than when he viewed it before purchase. Peterlee Magistrates' Court heard that the repairs were not carried out, with claims the tenant had refused to allow entry, which they denied.
Dalziel had also failed to obtain a selective licence for the property, along with two other properties in Stanley following the introduction of the scheme in April 2022. He was found guilty and the court imposed a £7,000 penalty for each of the three properties and £5,000 for the improvement notice breach. He was also ordered to pay £500 in costs and £2,000 as a victim surcharge.
Ted Murphy, the council's Building Safety and Standards Manager, said: "The landlords lack of action in this case is shocking. This case and conviction demonstrate the continuing need to regulate the sector and selective licensing can be an effective tool to improve standards. It also allows us to take effective enforcement against landlords that are non-compliant or criminal and put tenants at risk."
Source: The Negotiator