Homing in

TO let . . . but private landlords are failing to get licences

PRIVATE landlords have been fined for failing to get licences in the first prosecutions under a controversial Oldham Council scheme.

The local authority introduced a Selective Licensing scheme for landlords last year in a bid to improve the management of properties and flush out rogue landlords and irresponsible tenants. But it provoked protests from some landlords who resented the £490 per rented property fee and argued that more should be done to protect them from nuisance tenants who don’t pay rent on time.

A petition signed by 150 landlords was handed to the council but the authority insists the scheme helps to improve property management and tenant behaviour.

The council has now prosecuted a total of three landlords after they failed to obtain licences for for the properties they rent out. Each one had ignored letters from the council informing them that they needed to sign up to the scheme.

Maqsood Hussain (53), of Werneth Hall Road, Werneth, failed to licence a property on Huxley Street, Glodwick. He pleaded guilty and was fined £500 with £750 costs and victim surcharge of £75.

Mohammed Murtaza, of Clifton Avenue, Glodwick, did not acquire a licence for his house on Brewerton Road, Glodwick and pleaded guilty to the offence. He was also fined £500 with £750 costs and a £75 victim surcharge.

Alam Zeb, of Pitt Street, Glodwick, failed to attend court or enter a plea on the same charge, relating to a property on Kestrel Avenue, Salem. In his absence he was fined £750 plus £750 costs and a £75 victim surcharge.

St Mary’s was the first area to come under the scheme and now Hathershaw, Waterhead, Hollinwood and Primrose Bank and selected areas of Coldhurst, Alexandra and Oldham Edge, are included.

It is a criminal offence to operate a privately rented property without a licence in these areas. A landlord will also commit a criminal offence if they fail to comply with any of the conditions of a licence granted to them.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet member for Neighbourhoods and Co-operatives, said: “The majority of landlords are supportive of this scheme because they, like us, know that the rented sector in Oldham needs to improve.

“However, there are a small number who still think they can operate outside the law. These prosecutions show that we will take action against those people.

“Some properties currently 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 behaving 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 can either be paid in its entirety on application - or there’s an instalment option of paying half of the licence on application and the remaining half of the fee six months from the application date. The fee covers five years.

If you have any queries regarding the scheme please email landlordlicensing@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 2244. the properties they rent out. Each one had ignored letters from the council informing them that they needed to sign up to the scheme.

Maqsood Hussain (53), of Werneth Hall Road, Werneth, failed to licence a property on Huxley Street, Glodwick. He pleaded guilty and was fined £500 with £750 costs and victim surcharge of £75.

Mohammed Murtaza, of Clifton Avenue, Glodwick, did not acquire a licence for his house on Brewerton Road, Glodwick, and pleaded guilty to the offence. He was also fined £500 with £750 costs and a £75 victim surcharge.

Alam Zeb, of Pitt Street, Glodwick, failed to attend court or enter a plea on the same charge, relating to a property on Kestrel Avenue, Salem. In his absence he was fined £750 plus £750 costs and a £75 victim surcharge.

St Mary’s was the first area to come under the scheme and now Hathershaw, Waterhead, Hollinwood and Primrose Bank and selected areas of Coldhurst, Alexandra and Oldham Edge, are included.

It is a criminal offence to operate a privately rented property without a licence in these areas. A landlord will also commit a criminal offence if they fail to comply with any of the conditions of a licence granted to them.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: “The majority of landlords are supportive of this scheme because they, like us, know that the rented sector in Oldham needs to improve.

“However, there are a small number who still think they can operate outside the law. These prosecutions show that we will take action against those people.

“This scheme aims to make private landlords meet satisfactory standards of tenancy and property management. But it is also about tenants behaving 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 can either be paid in its entirety or there’s an instalment option of paying half of the licence on application and the remaining half of the fee six months from the application date. The fee covers five years.