Former Forest star fined thousands for licensing offences
A former Nottingham Forest star has been fined over £25,000 after owning up to a series of licensing offences.
Dexter Blackstock was at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court yesterday to face charges brought by Nottingham City Council’s Safer Housing team relating to twelve unlicensed properties he owned and rented out to the public.
The striker was convicted of failing to license nine properties under the Selective Licensing scheme, two under the Additional Licensing scheme and a single Mandatory Licensing offence.
Paul James, who managed the properties, faces ten charges.
The properties at Addison Street, Haydn Road, Langtry Grove, Marmion Road, Magdala Road, Hucknall Road and Bingham Road were required to be licensed under either Part 2 or 3 of the Housing Act.
Investigators also found that a number of the properties were in very poor shape, with some featuring faulty smoke alarms.
Blackstock has now been ordered to pay £24,000, £1,100 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.
Councillor Linda Woodings, portfolio holder for planning, housing and heritage at Nottingham City Council, said: “This is another good result for the council and I’d like to pay tribute to the hard work of the Safer Housing team.
“Properties have to be licensed for a good reason – to provide higher standards, regular maintenance and, most importantly, to make sure that tenants across the city are safe and living in acceptable conditions.
“Mr Blackstock has continually placed his profits over ensuring that these homes were appropriately licensed.
“The purpose of the licensing regime is to guarantee the house is suitable for the number of people occupying it, and that the licence holder is fit-and-proper person to hold a licence as well as additional controls over anti-social behaviour.
“Taking action like this is always a last resort when a landlord or agent refuses to engage with us, we want to work constructively with landlords to improve the standards of rented properties, but we make no apology for bringing people before the courts and we hope this sends out a strong message.”
The total rental income for the 12 properties was more than £10,500 a month. It would have cost £12,180 to licence them for a period of five years.
Blackstock joined Nottingham Forest from Queens Park Rangers in 2009 and played for the club until 2016.
