An article by Guy Collender - by kind permission.

A FORMER landlord could end up in jail after a determined couple took him to court to get their neglected housing estate repaired. Hans and June Munch have waged a five-year campaign against Michael Baker-Harber to force him to repair Rowner Village in Gosport.

The privately-owned housing estate - which has 301 flats - has been left in a state of disrepair with broken lifts and smashed windows. but thanks to the tireless efforts of Mr & Mrs Munch, a prison sentence of up to two years looms over Mr Baker-Harber, pictured on the front page. the London-based lawyer has four months to spruce up the 1950s block of flats to improve life for residents. And the long-awaited repairs could send the estate's value soaring after the poor upkeep led to a £50,000 slump in the price of each flat. work has never been carried out even though Mr Baker-Harber's former company New Horizons Management Limited received nearly £700,000 from the 2002 and 2003 service charges.

But a disciplinary notice from Portsmouth County Court rules that lifts must be replaced, communal areas redecorated and security doors repaired by October. Monthly maintenance reports on how residents service charges - which are about £2000 per flat - are spent must also be provided. the court notice states Mr Baker-Harber 'must obey the directions' or 'will be guilty of contempt of court and may be sent to prison.'

Mr and Mrs Munch were forced to leave their fourth floor flat in Hillary Court when the lifts stopped working in 2002 as Mrs Munch is wheelchair-bound with spinal problems. Mrs Munch, of Queen's Crescent, Stubbington, said: 'I see the court order as a victory, but I think Mr Baker-Harber will do anything he can to get out of doing it.' Mr Munch, 46, added: @It was a long hard battle - it is the last milestone before the finishing line.' Mr and Mrs Munch originally took out a civil action against New Horizons Management Limited in 1999 for breach of contract claiming their flat was not properly maintained. They previously won two court orders but repairs were not carried out as neither order had the threat of a jail sentence.

Mr Baker-Harber denies being responsible for the work and is to appeal against the court order. he is named on the court order as the director of New Horizons Management Limited but the company is now liquidation. Mr Baker-Harber said: 'I am not a party to this and we are appealing to have it dismissed.' 'I am not involved in the day-to-day running of the estate.'