A LANDLORD from Grotton has appeared in court for failing to licence a property he rents out.
Michael John Coates was one of five landlords from across Oldham penalised at Tameside Magistrates Court for failing to sign up to Oldham Council’s Selective Licensing scheme.
He was fined £490 with £300 costs while ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £49.
Currently, it is a criminal offence to operate a privately rented property without a licence in: St Mary’s, Hathershaw; Waterhead; Hollinwood; Primrose Bank and selected areas of Coldhurst, Alexandra and Oldham Edge.
It costs less than £2 a week to apply for a five-year licence and keeps to its terms.
Other landlords prosecuted were: Liam Coates, of Radcliffe Street, Oldham fined £490, with £300 costs and a £49 victim surcharge; Kauser Parveen, of Brompton Street, Oldham fined £495, with £450 costs and a £49 victim surcharge; Yasmin Walayat, of Werneth Hall Road, Oldham fined £600, with £400 costs and a £60 victim surcharge and Amjid Munir, of Grendon Avenue, Oldham fined £600, with £400 costs and a £60 victim surcharge
Mohammed Shahidul Islam Ali, of Milne Street, Oldham did not attend court and pleaded guilty by post to breaching the terms of his licence.
He was fined £80, with costs of £525 and a victim surcharge of £30.
Currently it is a criminal offence to operate a privately rented property without a licence in St Mary’s; Hathershaw; Waterhead; Hollinwood; Primrose Bank and selected areas of Coldhurst, Alexandra and Oldham Edge.
Councillor Hannah Roberts, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The private rented sector in Oldham needs to improve and we will take action against landlords who think the law doesn’t apply to them.
“Rented homes need to be of a good standard otherwise they can have a terrible impact on the health and welfare of tenants and the wider community.
“But tenants also need to act responsibly and showing respect for their neighbours.”
:We’ll soon be consulting on a proposed new Selective Licensing scheme in certain areas.”
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