A LANDLORD who put the lives of his tenants at risk has been given a £15,000 fine.

Andrew Sadler was convicted of failing to licence a house in multiple occupation (HMO) and five breaches of the HMO management regulations.

The court heard the 46-year-old was investigated by Oxford City Council's environmental health officers last November.

They discovered four unrelated tenants were living in his high-risk unlicensed HMO in Whitethorn Way, Oxford.

Officers found Sadler had failed to ensure all stair coverings were safely fixed and kept in good repair.

The property also featured a defective smoke alarm and no fire door, as well as other defects.

Sadler, of Ashmole Place, Oxford, was also ordered to pay a £120 victim surcharge and £2,304 costs.

Following the hearing on Tuesday city council leader Bob Price said: "This is an appalling case. Fortunately they are relatively rare in Oxford but not unknown.

"We take great care to inspect properties and when we do find such conditions we take legal action against landlords.

"This court case will send out a message to tenants that they will be protected.

"It also sends out a message to landlords that if they breach conditions they will face legal action – after all, the regulations are all clearly documented."