Landlords fined £45k after council takes court action in crackdown

(Pic courtesy Sefton Council)

Fines of £45,000 have been imposed following 10 successful prosecutions by Sefton Council of three housing management companies.

Damp, mould and overcrowding were among the matters on which the charges were brought. All three defendants pleaded guilty to managing or being in control of properties without the required Selective Licence.

In one case, carbon monoxide alarms had not been fitted and there were serious deficiencies in electrical installation.

Lev Properties was fined £25,000 for offences in five properties, while Roach Estates was fined £20,000 for managing properties without licences and failing to provide information. The third defendant, Singh Elite Properties, entered a guilty plea, but the court adjourned the matter until February, when sentencing will take place.

Sefton Council was alerted to one of the cases by a local resident, who suspected the property was being rented out and did not have the required licence.

Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways, said: “These cases are a firm reminder to landlords and property management companies that Sefton Council will take action against them if they do not comply with licensing agreements or provide properties that are fit and safe for people to live in.

“Last year the council extended Licensing schemes for private rented homes, which enable us to step in and deal with poor management and hazards like those described in court that tenants are facing.

“Since being introduced in 2018, the Licensing schemes have enabled us to step in and deal with over 3,000 serious health and safety hazards, including problems with fire safety, electrical hazards, damp and mould and excess cold.”

Last year, Sefton Council extended its Selective and Additional (HMO) Licensing schemes for private rented homes until the end of February 2028. The schemes, which cover approaching 4,000 private rented properties across the borough, enable the council to step in and deal with poor management and hazards being faced by tenants.

In October, a landlord with multiple premises in Bootle was fined more than £22,630, including £20,000 for breaching the initial order and renting the property out unlicensed. The court noted that his tenants were in ‘immediate risk’ of danger and that if a fire had taken place, it would have been ‘catastrophic’.

Cllr Veidman said the prosecutions were “a further reminder of our belief that tenants have a right to safe and secure home as a basic need and evidence that we are dedicating more time to enforcement cases.”

He added: “We will continue to inspect properties and work with landlords to ensure they are kept to an acceptable standard, but in cases where landlords refuse to comply, we will continue to seek prosecutions against landlords who do not follow the basic guidelines.

“And we will follow up on cases brought to our attention by members of the public, as was the case here.”

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