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Unlicensed landlords fined for flouting Rent Smart Wales legislation

 

UNLICENSED LANDLORDS FINED FOR FLOUTING RENT SMART WALES LEGISLATION

 

Rent Smart Wales has successfully prosecuted two more landlords for failing to become licensed under the scheme.

 

Cardiff landlord Rowjee Singh and Neath landlord Richard Howells were both found guilty and fined at Cardiff Magistrates' Court of offences under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.

 

Rent Smart Wales is the Welsh Government registration and licensing scheme for all private landlords and agents with properties in Wales. Enforcement powers have been active since November 23, 2016.

 

Following the successful prosecutions, a spokesperson for Cardiff Council, the single licensing authority for Wales, warned that landlords who continue to ignore the law will be found and prosecuted.

 

The spokesperson said: "Rent Smart Wales regularly receives reports about unregistered properties and landlords who own or manage properties without being registered and licensed. These prosecutions show that we will find out about those individuals who think they are under the radar.

 

"We work with local authorities across Wales to identify unregistered properties and landlords who aren't complying and get in contact to remind them of their legal obligations. As these prosecutions show, there are clearly those who ignore the warnings but enforcement activity is gaining momentum and we will take action."

 

Miss Singh of Lansdowne Road, Canton, Cardiff was contacted by Rent Smart Wales about her obligation to register and become licensed when a property she let out and managed on Manor Way, Whitchurch, Cardiff was reported as unregistered in March this year. She was reported as an unlicensed landlord on the same day.

 

Miss Singh created a Rent Smart Wales account but failed to register any properties or apply for a licence. She was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice which she did not pay nor take any further action to comply with the law.

 

In her absence in court, magistrates found Miss Singh guilty of three offences and fined her £1,980 with £577 costs.

 

Mr Howells of Dan Y Graig Terrace, Cadoxton, Neath pleaded guilty to failing to obtain a licence for letting and managing a property at Dan Y Bryn, Tonna, Neath.

 

Following reports of the unregistered property to Rent Smart Wales, officers contacted Mr Howells and he proceeded to register. However, he did not submit a completed licence application and was issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice.

 

Mr Howells failed to pay the notice resulting in the prosecution for three offences including failure to provide information about the rental address under Section 37 of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.

 

Magistrates fined Mr Howells £687 and ordered him to pay £200 costs.