A Doncaster based landlord has been given a banning order by The Property Tribunal Service from being able to let out any homes, or to operate with or as part of an agency, or any other form of property management for up two years and a half years.

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Doncaster council's successful application for the banning of the rogue landlord came after a raft of prosecutions in January for breaching housing regulations and for not carrying out the necessary work subject to improvement notices, as well as failing to obtain an HMO licence.

The landlord pleaded guilty to the seven offences of breaching the Housing Act 2004 and was duly fined £2,800; in addition to the fine he was ordered to pay £2,579.73 in costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

Councillor Chris McGuinness, cabinet member for communities, the voluntary sector and environment, said: “The granting of this banning order sends out a clear message to all rogue landlords that our housing enforcement team is at the cutting edge of enforcement.

“When tenants are put at risk through the actions or lack of action by a landlord, we will clamp down by using all the enforcement tools at our disposal.”

Councillor Glyn Jones, deputy mayor and cabinet member for housing and equalities, added: “We will take tough action against landlords who fail to comply with licensing rules as we are determined to drive up housing standards across the borough and improve health and safety for tenants.

“Good quality, safe housing is important for Doncaster residents and our communities.”

The landlord was banned in a court hearing at the end of October and will come into force next year on February 14th.

Failure to comply with the banning order will result in either a ban or prison sentence of up to 51 weeks, possibly both, and alternatively the landlord could be fined up to £30,000.

This banning order is only the third since the introduction of the powers since April 2018 that has been issued throughout the country and the first in the north of England.

Richard Merrick of PIMS, said: "It is pathetic that only three landlords and letting agents nationally have been banned from operating within the sector. The councils were awarded the powers in April 2018 to rid the PRS of these cowboys that tarnish every good landlord and letting agent.

"Councils do seem at times more interested in collecting their exorbitant licensing 'nest eggs', rather than kicking out the small minority that makes it increasingly harder for law and tax abiding landlords to receive any reward for their labour and investment."