A landlord who failed to keep the flat he rented out ‘in good and clean decorative repair’ has been fined £1,750 and ordered to pay costs of £600.

Amar Shazad, from Walthamstow, admitted eight offences at Thames Magistrates’ Court relating to the property in Sprowston Mews, Forest Gate.

Council housing enforcement officers found filth and mould in the flat plus a hole in the staircase which went into a car repair workshop below.

They also found exposed wires, kitchen cupboard doors off their hinges and unsafe coverings and repairs to the staircase. There was a cockroach on the hallway carpet.

The prosecution comes as Newham Council has finished the first phase of a consultation process over licensing all private landlords.

If given the go-ahead, Newham would be the first borough in the country to do this. The proposals are backed by national housing charity Shelter which has urged other councils to follow the council's lead.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “This proposed scheme shows that Newham is leading the country when it comes to tackling bad landlords who flout the law.

“We want to ensure that private sector rented properties are well managed and meet a good standard. We also want to deal with the crime and anti-social behaviour that is sometimes associated with bad private sector rented housing.

“There are good landlords in Newham and we want to work with them. Unfortunately there are also some unscrupulous ones - which these proposals would target.

“We will never accept private sector tenants being directly exploited by landlords who force them to live in dangerous and unacceptable conditions.

“Good landlords have nothing to fear from this scheme. For the bad ones, this a clear message they must clean up their act.”

Kay Boycott, director of communications, policy and campaigns at Shelter, said: “We are delighted to hear that Newham Council could be introducing this scheme, which would help protect vulnerable tenants from rogue landlords who are making their tenants’ lives hell.

“We urge other local councils to follow Newham's lead in sending a clear signal that enforcing the law against rogue landlords is a priority.”

• A LANDLORD has been fined £525 and ordered to pay £508 for failing to carry out work to a privately rented property in Tredegar.

John Titcombe, of Keynsham, Bristol, was found guilty of failing to comply with a notice served by Blaenau Gwent council ordering him to carry out works to rectify hazards relating to excess cold, fire safety and falls.

Councillor Garth Collier, executive member for neighbourhood services and housing, said: “We will always work with a landlord where it is necessary to improve a property but we do not shy away from taking enforcement action where a landlord clearly fails to work with us. This case was particularly concerning to us as the landlord failed to provide heating and hot water and to deal with serious draughts within the property when a young family were living there in cold winter conditions.”

Blaenau Gwent council’s next private sector landlord forum is on 22 February in the ViTCC, Tredegar, at 6pm.