Landlord fined for lack of licence

A LANDLORD who failed to obtain a licence for the property he rents out has been fined.

Oldham Council successfully prosecuted Abid Jaweed after he failed to sign up to the Selective Licensing scheme - the council's initiative to improve the management of properties and target rogue landlords and irresponsible tenants.

It is a criminal offence to operate a privately rented property without a licence in St Mary's; Hathershaw; Waterhead; Hollinwood; Primrose Bank and selected areas of Coldhurst, Alexandra and Oldham Edge. Landlords will also commit a criminal offence if they fail to comply with any of the conditions of a licence granted to them.

Jaweed (49), of Dingle Lane, Solihull, ignored letters from the council informing him that he needed to sign up to the scheme for his property on Kelverlow Street, Oldham, and continued to rent out the property without a licence.

He pleaded guilty and was fined £750 with an additional £750 in costs at Tameside Magistrates' Court on March 2.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: "The majority of private landlords in the areas where the Selective Licensing scheme is in force are supportive of it because they, like us, know that the rented sector in Oldham needs to improve.

"But, as this prosecution shows, we are still coming across individuals who think the law doesn't apply to them. We will take action against landlords who flout the law.

"Over the last few years our officers have discovered properties that fail to meet the required homes standard, which can have a terrible impact on the health and welfare of tenants and the wider community.

"This scheme aims to make private landlords meet satisfactory standards of tenancy and property management.

"But it is also about tenants acting responsibly in a way that does not blight their neighbourhood and showing respect for their neighbours."

The Housing Act 2004 gives councils the power to introduce the licensing of private rented homes, within a designated area.

The licence fee, covering five years, is £490 per rented property which can either be paid in its entirety on application or in two instalments.