A man who left a house in Burton Joyce abandoned and in ‘an unsafe state’ to stop his siblings profiting from any sale has been fined by Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
Mr Clayton was found guilty for failing to comply with notices served by Gedling Borough Council requiring that he tidy up and make safe the property at Bridle Road in Burton Joyce which has been left abandoned for several years.
He was found guilty of failing to comply with the notices and was fined £500 plus £400 costs.
Following numerous complaints the Council served an Improvement Notice on Mr Clayton requiring him to take steps to make the property safe to live in and a further notice requiring him to clear the overgrown garden. Mr Clayton failed to comply with the notices.
The property has been abandoned since 2002 and despite the Council’s requests no action was taken to rectify the state of the property.
When interviewed by the Council Mr Clayton stated that he had not done the works to “spite his siblings” because they would receive the proceeds if the property was sold.
When Council Inspectors visited the property, the garden was overgrown to the point that the property could not be seen from the road.
Inside the property multiple hazards were found including there being no heating, holes in the roof and walls, missing ceilings, defective guttering, electrical hazards, fire risks, a collapsed retaining wall and dangerous stairs.
Witnesses gave statements to the court of the property being an eyesore and one experienced problems with mice coming into their kitchen.
Councillor David Ellis, Portfolio Holder for Public Protection said: “We are pleased with the court’s decision to require Mr Clayton to sort out the state of this property. This house has been left empty and disused at a time when we have shortfall of new homes. We have a priority to provide new homes and we will take enforcement action if properties are left abandoned and are an eyesore”.
