A MAN accused of a series of failings at a house in multiple occupation (HMO) has had all charges against him dropped – almost 18 months after the case first came to court.

Clive Taylor, of Christchurch Road in Boscombe, was initially charged with one count of being the controller or manager of house in multiple occupation act without a section 61(1) licence and 18 counts of failing to comply with regulations in respect of management of an HMO.

Hr first appeared in the dock in October 2017 after allegations were made about a property in 18 Knole Road, Boscombe, by the former Bournemouth Borough Council.

Mr Taylor, 54, had denied all the offences, and the case was then subject to a series of adjournments and delays.

Finally, on Wednesday, prosecutors announced they would offer no evidence on all charges, meaning the case has been dismissed.

It was initially alleged that residents were not supplied with contact information for the HMO's manager, combustible items were obstructing fire escape routes, fire extinguishers were not maintained and certified and there were no thirty-minute fire doors to bedrooms, the communal lounge or the kitchen.

In addition, it is alleged that there were no intumescent strips and smoke seals to doors, an inadequate fire alarm system, no emergency lighting, inadequate sockets in bedrooms, no valid electrical installation certificates and problems with extractor fans.

Prosecutors also say there were holes in the ceilings of the basement, the storage room and outside of the communal lounge.