A rogue landlord who left an elderly couple's home in an "appalling" state with insufficient heating and major mould has been ordered to pay more than £4,000.

The home, in Lakedale Road, Plumstead, was investigated by environmental health officers who found the heating could not go above 16 degrees.

They found various other issues including broken electric storage heaters, lack of thermal insulation, a non-working smoke alarm, lack of ventilators in the bathroom and kitchen, flammable polystyrene ceiling tiles throughout the home, broken roof tiles and gaps to the balustrade on the stairs and landing.

Mohammed Nadem Yasin was given several warnings, but failed to fix the problems and was taken to court by Greenwich Council.

He was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £3,053 costs and £100 surcharge at Bexley Magistrates' Court.

The 38-year-old, of Mineral Street in Plumstead, pleaded guilty to failure to comply with an improvement notice under Section 30 of the Housing Act 2004.

Councillor Jackie Smith, cabinet member for community safety and environment, said this prosecution was part of a crackdown on rogue landlords.

She said: “This property was in an appalling and potentially dangerous state and the landlord appeared to have a complete disregard for the health and well-being of the elderly couple who paid him rent to live there.

“I hope this case serves as warning that we will not hesitate to take action against landlords who flout the law and rent out sub-standard homes."