Landlord fined for flouting licence scheme

Anna McGuinness, who has addresses in Bloomfield Road and Lytham Road, South Shore, was found guilty in her absence.

Blackpool magistrates fined her £650 and ordered her to pay £350 in legal costs.

McGuinness had failed to comply with the selective licensing scheme in Claremont which requires all private landlords to pay five-yearly fees of up to £940 for a property with up to five dwellings.

It is aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour.

The decision of the court also means McGuinness is no longer deemed to be ‘a fit and proper person’ to hold a licence and must nominate another individual to be the licence holder at the property on Hampstead Mews.

Coun Gillian Campbell, deputy leader of Blackpool Council, said: “Almost all properties in Claremont are licensed but there are a handful of landlords who have flouted the law. Selective licensing is starting to make a difference in the Claremont community area.

“The end result of selective licensing will be better communities, which will benefit the people who live there, and in turn will help private landlords to get more permanent and more prosperous tenants.

“Many landlords have bought into that vision by acquiring the licence, but those who haven’t are standing in the way of that work and we will follow up every single one.

“I hope this prosecution will send a message that Blackpool Council is using a determined and stringent approach to improving private rented housing,”