Two Worksop landlords who put the safety of their tenants in danger after failing to carry out urgent repairs at two of their properties have had their appeal against their fines and costs partially upheld at Nottingham Crown Court.
Baminy Suresh, 41, and Suresh Thanabalsingham, 47, both from Cheapside in Worksop, were originally found guilty at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on 12th June 2025 of failing to comply with improvement notices at their properties requiring hazards that could be harmful to the safety of their tenants to be fixed. In addition, Thanabalsingham was also found guilty of failing to remove waste which could attract vermin.
The husband and wife were originally ordered to pay a total of £171,964 in fines and costs after failing to provide financial information to the courts, despite being ordered to do so.
At Nottingham Crown Court on 16th April 2026, an appeal was partially upheld with a reduction in their original fines and costs, and the pair were ordered to pay a total of £104,500.
Recorder Davis KC of the Crown Court, imposing the fines, stated that the landlords’ culpability was high, resulting from serious and systematic failures to meet their statutory obligations. This represented a high risk of serious adverse effects on tenants.
Thanabalsingham was ordered to pay fines of £50,500, while Suresh was ordered to pay £50k in fines. Both were ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £2,000.
The pair were also ordered to pay council prosecution costs totalling £11,521, split equally, over two years.
Cllr Darrell Pulk, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods at Bassetlaw District Council, said: “This prosecution makes it clear that landlords must keep their properties to a legal standard and, if they fail to do so, enforcement action will follow.
“Landlords have a duty to provide homes that are safe and warm for tenants to live in.”
“Whilst fines were ultimately reduced on appeal, the Council welcome confirmation from the Crown Court as to the severity of the landlords’ offences and the serious risk of harm caused to their tenants.”
Bassetlaw District Council received complaints about poor living conditions at two properties that were endangering the health and wellbeing of the people living there.
Improvement notices were served under the Housing Act 2004 between February and March 2024, requiring action on hazards including excess cold, electrical and security risks, and significant fire safety failures, including the absence of fire detection systems.
A further visit to the properties in April 2024 revealed the required works had not been completed within the specified timelines.
