Landlord fined £4,700 for ignoring council’s property inquiries

A landlord has been ordered to pay a fine for failing to respond to council inquiries about his rented property. 

Simon Williams, from Manchester, was fined £1,000, along with a £400 victim surcharge and court costs of £3,360.85, totalling £4,760.85.

The charges stemmed from Mr Williams not responding to inquiries about a property he owns in Shrewsbury.

Shropshire Council says it received complaints about anti-social behaviour at the property.

There were also issues about possible poor housing conditions and potentially operating as a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Did not attend the hearing

Williams did not attend the hearing at Telford Magistrates’ Court on Monday and the court proceeded in his absence.

The council’s cabinet member for planning and regulatory Services, Chris Schofield, emphasised the importance of cooperation from landlords and property owners with the council.

He said: “The council wants to work constructively with any person who has an interest in a property that we are dealing with under our housing functions.

“This will include landlords, property owners, agents, tenants and others.

“When officers make requests for information, I urge individuals to respond as fully as possible, as it is in their interests to do so.”

‘Don’t want to prosecute individuals for this sort of failure’

Mr Schofield added: “We don’t want to prosecute individuals for this sort of failure, but as this prosecution demonstrates, we will do so if we fail to get the necessary engagement and co-operation.

“This prosecution serves as a reminder to all of the importance of responding to formal requests from the council in relation to a property in which they have an interest.

“It is a legal requirement, and failure to respond can lead to a costly day in court, as this case clearly shows.”

Williams was charged under Section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for failing to respond regarding a property which had been complained about.