Council successfully prosecutes unlicensed Landlord

Last Wednesday a Landlord of a property in Darwen was ordered to pay fines and costs of £1960 after pleading guilty at Blackburn magistrate’s court.

Miss Anne Edwards, who was charged with failing to apply for a selective license within a selective licensing area, pleaded guilty in writing to Wednesday’s hearing.

Appearing in person Miss Edwards argued for mitigating circumstances, and whilst the Court took these into account, magistrates ordered fines of £1300, costs of £540 and a victim surcharge of £120 to be paid.

The offence, dating back to November 2009, saw Miss Edwards in breach of part three of the Housing Act 2004, which requires landlords in selective licensing areas to apply for a selective license in order to legally let property to tenants.

Cllr Yusuf Jan – Virmani said “This conviction shows the council’s commitment to ensuring private landlords operating within the Borough operate legally. I welcome this judgement by the magistrate’s court, and I hope this can send the clear message to the minority of irresponsible landlords who try to work outside the law that they will not be tolerated in our borough.”