27th
Apr 2016
A Darlington landlord who failed to attend a court hearing at Darlington Magistrates Court, has been fined over £500 for not bothering to supply a tenant’s reference check to Durham County Council.
In 2013 the council introduced its Dean Bank, Ferryhill Selective Licensing designation, the scheme was designed to make sure that any ‘rented’ properties were correctly licensed and managed in line with the Housing Act 2004.
One of the landlords’ stipulated responsibility is to carry out reference checks on any prospective tenants and supply them to the council when requested.
The landlord was fined because she had not complied with that condition in the licence.
In her absence the court fined her £220 with costs of £330 and a victim surcharge of £22.
Sarah Robson, Durham County Council’s head of economic development and housing, said: “It is crucial that satisfactory references are obtained from all prospective tenants in the area for selective licensing.
“Barker failed to adhere to the conditions of her licence in not providing them for her tenant and now has a conviction and a hefty bill to pay as a result.
“This case should act as a warning to her and other landlords in this area that we will enforce the licensing policy.”
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