A LANDLORD has been banned from returning to the police force and convicted for a second time for failing to keep one of his properties safe for tenants.

Imtiaz Gulzar, of Cowley Road resigned from his role as a special constable at Thames Valley Police before a misconduct hearing earlier this month.

The hearing barred him ever returning to policing and said he would have been dismissed without notice had he not resigned.

The ruling was made as a result of his first conviction in November when he was fined £2,500 for failing to comply with the terms of an HMO licence for a property in Iffley Road.

But the 41-year-old, who stood as a Liberal Democrat candidate in the 2014 local elections, has now been convicted for second time and fined £10,000 for a range of offences concerning another large HMO in Cowley Road.

He pleaded guilty to failing to keep the property in good order and repair and failure to maintain it in good and decorative repair and in a safe and working condition.

He also pleaded guilty to failing to ensure notices indicating the location of fire escapes were visible.

Oxford City Council’s board member for regulatory services, Alex Hollingsworth, said: “The city council is committed to ensuring high standards in the private rented sector and protecting tenants against landlords who do not meet their responsibilities under the law.

“I am pleased in this second prosecution of Mr Gulzar, the court imposed a higher fine than in the first case.”

Since April last year, Oxford City Council has had new powers to issue fines of up to £30,000 without going through the courts.

Mr Hollingsworth said Mr Gulzar’s case was one of the final prosecutions to be completed before the new powers came into force.

He said: “On average, we have issued penalties that are nearly four times what the courts used to fine landlords, so we believe the new powers will provide an even greater deterrent against violations.”