3^rd Dec 2017

It has been just over a year since the Rent Smart Wales compulsory registration scheme for landlords went public, and it has just carried out its first successful prosecution of a landlord that failed to register.

The landlord who traded as a Milford Haven estate agent was found to be guilty of failing to complete the mandatory licence application forms for her rental properties, which were also unregistered.

In June of this year the landlord/estate agent was handed a fixed penalty notice which she failed to pay. The guilty party ignored further 'reminders' as well as not bothering to send through a licence application or register her properties.

Councillor Lynda Thorne, Cabinet member for housing and communities, said: "It’s almost one year on since the November 23 deadline for all landlords with properties in Wales to become registered and yet there are landlords and agents still out there who believe they can operate outside of the law. We are taking action and we will find out about those individuals who are not complying.’

She added: "As well as court action and potentially a large fine, landlords and agents could face rent penalties and restriction on re-possession of their property as a result of non-compliance. There is no excuse for a commercial agent not to be registered and licensed. I urge any landlords who use a commercial agent to check they are Rent Smart Wales compliant to ensure they are carrying out management duties legally."

The landlord was found guilty of three offences under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 resulting in Cardiff Magistrates giving her a fine of £4,600 as well as an order to pay court costs of £671 plus a £170 victim surcharge.

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