Another rogue landlord prosecuted – and fined three thousand pounds

There has been another successful prosecution of a Thanet landlord for failing to apply for a selective licence.

On Tuesday 11 September, in a case heard by Canterbury Magistrates’ Court, a Margate based landlord pleaded guilty to failing to apply for a selective licence in respect of a rented property in Dalby Road, Margate.

The Magistrates ordered the landlord to pay a total of £3,290. This includes a fine of £3,000, £120 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.

Cllr. Lesley Ann Game, Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods said: “Selective licensing is a mandatory scheme and landlords renting out a property within the designated area must obtain a licence from the council. Landlords without a licence should know we are robustly pursuing you. This fine of £3,000 should be a reminder to all landlords and property managers that there are significant penalties for non-compliance. ”

Since 2011, Thanet District Council has operated a selective licensing scheme in parts of Cliftonville West and Margate Central. Unless subject to exemption, all privately rented properties in the designated area (as shown in red on the map below) must be licensed.

The scheme was introduced to help improve management standards in the private rented sector and to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of tenants. Anyone found to be operating a licensable property without a licence is liable to prosecution and unlimited fines.

Earlier this year the council prosecuted six landlords for a variety of housing-related offences, resulting in over £32,000 in fines.