LANDLORDS in Warwick district are being warned to follow the rules or face the consequences – after heavy fines were dished out to lawbreakers.
A Warwick District Council crackdown on landlords who fail to manage and licence properties – or comply with licence conditions – being rented out to multiple tenants saw four landlords given fines totalling £13,500, with court costs on top.
The four landlords pleaded guilty to various offences at Nuneaton Magistrates Court.
* Monika Baty, landlord of a property in Avenue Road in Leamington, pleaded guilty to having more people in the property than her licence permitted and was fined £2,500 plus costs. Baty’s licence allowed for up to six tenants but officers found ten living there. Baty had ignored previous warnings.
* Delwar King pleaded guilty to failure to licence a property in Forfield Place in Leamington, and other offences relating to repairs and management of the property. He was fined £5,000 plus costs.
Case 3
* Hardip Singh Hothi pleaded guilty to failure to licence a property in Saltisford in Warwick and was fined £3,500 plus costs. Warwickshire Fire Service was called out to a fire at the property last June and council officers carried out an investigation which found the property should have been licensed as a House in Multiple Occupation at the time of the fire.
* Lakbir Atwal pleaded guilty to failing to licence a property in Tachbrook Road, Leamington, despite numerous reminders and was fined £2, 500 plus costs.
District housing spokesman Coun Norman Vincett, said: “The vast majority of landlords work well with the council and provide good quality accommodation.
“However my officers will not hesitate to enforce the law where tenant’s health and safety is at risk and landlords blatantly disregard the law. The Private Sector Housing Team works hard to safeguard vulnerable tenants in the sector and I encourage all landlords and tenants who require advice, help or support to contact the team on 01926 456733 or via e mail to [email protected].”
