Landlord fined after family living in damp, mouldy home

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 14:44 · Archive

A landlord has been fined after a mother, newborn baby and disabled child were found living in a property with damp, mould and no heating.

A North-east landlord has been fined after a vulnerable family in Annfield Plain, County Durham was found living in a damp and mouldy home with no heating or hot water. The household included a mother, newborn baby and disabled child. Kristoffer Jon Dalziel, 34, sole director of Dalziel Ventures Ltd based at Drum Industrial Estate in Chester-le-Street, was ordered to carry out repairs.

Durham County Council conducted an informal inspection in December 2025 and sent Dalziel a report listing the problems, ordering him to fix them within a month. Dalziel initially claimed his contractor was unwilling to proceed because of the property's issues. The council attempted to facilitate communication between Dalziel, his tenant and support workers to help progress the work.

After the tenant's disabled child was hospitalised and welfare concerns deepened, Dalziel told the council work would start in January 2026. A formal inspection in February 2026 found no repairs had been made. The property still had hazards including excessive cold, damp and mould, carbon monoxide risks and electrical faults. The fine was £28,000 according to The Northern Echo, though TeessideLive reports £26,000.

How it is being reported

• North East landlord fined £26,000 after mum left with no heating in damp-riddled homeA landlord has been fined £26,000 after a vulnerable family was found living in a damp-riddled home with no heating or hot water in Annfield Plain.TeessideLive · 9 Oct, 13:58
• Landlord fined £28k after mum, baby and disabled child living in damp and mouldy homeThe Annfield Plain family contacted Durham County Council after a broken boiler left them without heating, alongside several other problems.The Northern Echo · 9 Oct, 09:51

In this story: Kristoffer Jon Dalziel · Dalziel Ventures Ltd · Durham County Council · Annfield Plain · County Durham · Chester-le-Street

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