A ROGUE landlord who failed to make a property safe has been ordered to pay almost £1,500.

Pendle Council served Mario De-Santis with an improvement notice after he neglected the house in Colin Street, Barnoldswick.

He was summoned to Reedley Magistrates Court on Wednesday but did not attend.

His solicitor pleaded guilty on his behalf.

He was fined £545 plus £900 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Julie Whittaker, Pendle’s housing manager, said: “Several deficiencies had been highlighted at the property including a lack of whole house heating, lack of internal doors, insufficient insulation to the loft, missing wall plaster and missing handrails to the staircase.

“The property became vacant during the notice period and Mr De-Santis was warned that if he failed to complete the improvements, we would take enforcement action against him.

“He ignored our warnings and only carried out the work once he had been issued with a court summons.”