A husband and wife were hit with a bill of more than £5,800 today for renting out properties illegally.
Joint-landlords Peter and Frances Kavanagh, failed in their duty to ensure they had the correct and legal licences to rent out five flats in Broughton, heard Salford Magistrates.
In 2009, it became law for private landlords in the area to be licensed as part of Salford City Council’s landlord licensing scheme.
The court was told how the couple, of Beldrine Farm in Prestwich, did not apply for a licence for any of their flats on St John’s Street since the change in the law. They also ignored several warnings from the council to obtain the required licences.
The Kavanagh’s failed to show at court and were found guilty in their absence. They were each fined £525 for every property they failed to get a licence for – amounting to £5,250.
They were also ordered to pay £580 towards court costs and £30 in victims surcharges.
Salford’s landlord licensing scheme aims to ensure all rented properties are well managed, of a good standard and safe. In turn it hopes to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime, and encourage more people to live in parts of the city.
Schemes are operating in Broughton and Seedley and Langworthy and the council has recently introduced it in an area of Kersal and Charlestown.
Councillor Peter Connor, Salford City Council’s lead member for housing said: “Landlords are responsible for the upkeep and safety of their properties and our role is to work with them to make sure tenants get a good standard of living across the city.
“Prosecution is a last resort but where landlords have been given several chances to get their business in order, we have no choice to take action on behalf of residents.”
ENDS
Editors notes:
Peter and Frances Kavanagh were prosecuted today (2 June) at Salford Magistrates. The case was heard in their absence.
