Nearly 100 people fined in rogue landlords crackdown

ALMOST 100 rogue landlords have been taken to court by Salford City Council.

It is part of a crackdown on substandard properties in the borough which also requires landlords to hold a new licence.

Those who don’t have a licence or those who fail to comply with the rules – including carrying out regular inspections and dealing with anti-social tenants – could face prosecution.

Three landlords have had four properties taken over by the council, after ‘refusing to comply.’ Another two were forced to pay back more than £20,000 to the council after they were found not to hold a licence.

In total, 93 landlords have been taken to court and forced to pay more than £153,000 in fines.

The council say prosecution is the ‘last resort.’

A spokesperson added: “We’ve formally notified 1,100 landlords of issues with their properties or their tenants’ behaviour and the vast majority have responded positively without the need for further enforcement action. Only 93 landlords and seven managing agents, out of more than 2,000 operating in the city, have had to be prosecuted.” Salford Council recently launched its seventh licensing scheme. Landlords in Charlestown and Kersal will now have to hold a valid licence, or potentially face sanctions. Coun Paul Longshaw, lead member for housing and neighbourhoods, said: “I find it incredible in the 21st century that people who buy washing machines seem to have more consumer rights than people who rent their home from a private landlord. “That’s something which needs to change nationally but in the meantime we will continue working with landlords to make sure people in Salford get decent privately rented homes. “Most private landlords in Salford do provide good homes and we have worked with them to meet the standards and help them tackle problem tenants, but these powers enable us to take action against those who don’t.” The new scheme will cover properties around Gerald Road, Littleton Road, Cromwell Road and Seaford Road areas.

We will continue working with landlords to make sure people get decent rented homes Coun Paul Longshaw