Benefits landlord faces jail over rat-infested and rubbish-strewn homes

A rogue benefits landlord faces jail if he fails to comply with a court order forcing him to inspect and improve his shoddy rental properties.

Derby Crown Court heard that one of Martin Ambler’s houses on the West Lea estate in Clowne (pictured) was infested with rats, droppings were found on a mattress, a child’s artwork had been chewed and the rodents had even caused a leak by chewing through a water pipe.

The family home contained numerous Category 1 hazards including holes in the walls, gaps in decaying windows, doors that didn’t close properly and leaking external doors.

At another property, he left large amounts of fly-tipped rubbish in the gardens while metal shutters were attached to the windows.

Ambler failed to rectify the issues and admitted four counts of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order, ITV has reported.

Sentencing was deferred until 6th January and the landlord was ordered to instruct housing experts or a management company to inspect and provide a report on all his rental properties, as well as to allow an inspection by the council. He must also provide full financial details about any companies of which he is a director.

Judge Bennett told him: “The gaps in the windows, the pipes which were damaged by rats were your responsibility and you were taking in money paid by the taxpayer through housing benefit.”

If Ambler successfully manages the terms of the deferment, the judge told him he would suspend a prison term but advised Ambler to set aside cash for substantial compensation and costs.

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The landlord has a history of similar behaviour; in 2017, Ambler was slapped with a £2,500 fine and handed a Criminal Behaviour Order after North East Derbyshire District Council’s environmental health team received 11 complaints about waste accumulating at a property in North Wingfield.

Other tenants also complained about damp and mould, lack of heating, blood-stained walls and faulty electrics.