A FAMILY of five were found living in cramped conditions in one small room in a Southend house of multiple occupancy, a council says.

Ruhul Shamsuddin and his company Lordsons Estates, based in Clifftown Road, Southend, were found guilty of 23 offences and hit with a huge £17,293 fine in relation to the property.

An inspection took place at 12 Clifftown Road, Westcliff, in December 2021, and found the property was in breach of several house of multiple occupancy licence conditions.

The inspecting officer also found evidence of overcrowding as a family of two adults and three children were living in one room, Southend Council says.

The licence was revoked immediately and a prohibition order was issued - preventing anyone staying at the house until it is made safe.

David Garston, Southend Tory councillor responsible for housing and planning, said: “Landlords who exploit the vulnerabilities of people in need and provide substandard and unsafe accommodation will be caught and will face consequences.

“I’m so pleased we were able to relocate this family living in overcrowded conditions and I am so pleased the courts recognised the seriousness of the charges and imposed such a fine as this sends the right message out to others who may want to flout the rules.”

During inspections, officers from Southend Council’s private sector housing team also found the property with damage to windows and staircases, a lack of fire safety, and waste underneath an outside staircase.

Shamsuddin and Lordsons Estates were found guilty at Colchester Magistrates’ Court in May 2023.

On Friday, both Shamshuddin and the company were fined a total of £17,293 by Basildon Magistrates’ Court.

The family of five found living in one small room were relocated to another property by Southend Council.