COUNCIL bosses have issued a warning to landlords who let houses fall into a state of disrepair after a father was found guilty of failing to provide contact information.

Ashaq Hussain, from Accrington was found guilty in his absence at Blackburn Magistrates Court and fined for failing to provide contact details for his daughter Shamreen Bi Hussain.

Hyndburn Council requires the information to carry out a second prosecution against her due to the state of her house.

Last year, she was convicted of non-compliance of a section 79 notice of the The Building Act 1984 ordering her to make repairs to her property at 60 Portland St Accrington.

Mr Hussain, of Steiner Street, failed to provide the information to the council and was ordered to pay £1,500 in fines and costs.

This came after he did not comply with a notice requiring him to give his daughter’s address, date of birth, national insurance number and other details.

He was handed a £1,000 fine with a £100 victim surcharge and ordered to pay £400 costs in court.

Cllr Clare Cleary, Hyndburn Council cabinet member for housing, said the actions offer a warning to those who fail to look after houses in the borough.

She said: “This case should serve as a warning to people who allow their properties to fall into a state of disrepair.

“We will approach the family for details of the owners and if they don’t provide us with the information we will take them to court too, as in this case where Mr Hussain has been handed fines and costs totalling £1500 for failing to provide the Council with his daughter’s details.

“There is an ongoing offence being committed by Shamreen Bi Hussain with her property at 60 Portland Street left in a serious state of disrepair.

“We have already taken Miss Hussain to court and will continue to prosecute both Mr and Miss Hussain until they take action.”

Cllr Mohammed Ayub, who represents the Central ward where the property is, urged people to not let their homes fall into such conditions.

He said: “It has a big impact on people who live in the area, it is an eyesore. I’d urge anybody in the area to report any homes they think are empty and in a poor state. We all try our best to stop properties falling into such a state but ultimately it comes down to who owns them."