A rogue landlord from Devizes has been fined £11,600 for exposing tenants including a family with children to dangerous living conditions.

Ansar Butt, 39, of Thurman Court, Devizes, admitted 24 breaches of the Houses of Multiple Occupation Regulation and four counts of failing to undertake works following the issue of an improvement notice.

The trial at Swindon Magistrates Court followed a prosecution taken out by Wiltshire Council on a property at Bedborough Farm, London Road, Devizes.

The most serious defects included:

• faulty fire detection

• exposed wiring

• no hot water

• no heating

• significant disrepair

Mr Butt told the court that his tenants were eastern European workers who had difficulty finding homes in Devizes.

He said that the property, which he bought for £160,000 in 2013, was now empty and on sale.

Mr Butt was also ordered to pay costs of £1,894.50 and a victim surcharge of £170.

The Government has confirmed that the extension of mandatory HMO licensing is due to come into force from October 1, 2018, subject to Parliamentary approval.

It tightens up the rules on when a landlord must apply for a licence to rent out multi-occupancy houses.

Richard Clewer, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “We urge any landlords of HMOs that are unknown to the council to make an enquiry and contact the private sector housing team.”