Landlords hit with fines for not having licences

Landlords in the Griffin area are being reminded to sign up to the Council’s selective licensing scheme after more prosecutions have taken place.

Blackburn Magistrates Court have handed down fines to two further landlords who failed to apply for licences for their rental properties.

Mukhtar Ahmad, 53, of West Park Road, Blackburn, was fined for not having a licence for a properties on Norman Street, Angela Street and Stansfeld Street. He was fined £1,280 and £948 costs along with a £128 victim surcharge.

Brendan Kiely, 50, of Ballam Road. Lytham, was fined for not having a licence for a property on Angela Street. He was ordered to pay a fine of £500 with £552 costs and a victim surcharge of £50.

The latest prosecutions bring the total number of prosecutions that have taken place this year to 18.

Under the scheme operated by Blackburn with Darwen Council landlords in Griffin risk heavy fines for not applying for the licences that are intended to make sure privately rented properties are well managed.

The initiative sees licences issued for up to five years to those who meet a number of criteria including carrying out annual gas safety checks and an electrical safety check, providing energy performance certificates, fitting and maintaining smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and providing occupants with a written tenancy agreement.

Landlords who are prosecuted may also have to hand back rent from the last twelve months, over to tenants or to the Council if tenants are receiving housing benefit.

There are currently two selective licensing schemes in Blackburn with Darwen, in the Griffin/ Mill Hill  and Infirmary areas.  They were introduced after extensive consultation with local residents and are intended to ensure privately rented properties are well managed.

Executive member for Neighbourhood and Prevention Services, Councillor Arshid Mahmood, said: “Our vision is to build safer and stronger communities and improve people’s health and well-being and we believe Selective Licensing can help us to achieve that.
“I would urge landlords who are letting properties within the Selective Licensing Areas to ensure they have submitted full applications to avoid being prosecuted.”

For more information contact the Housing Standards Team on 01254 585457 or visit http://www.blackburn.gov.uk/Pages/Selective-licensing.aspx