A buy-to-let landlord has been fined £1,384 after pleading guilty to failing to selectively license a rental property he owns in Victoria Road, Scarborough, YO11. 

Following a prosecution brought by Scarborough Borough Council, John Hood from Hunmanby in North Yorkshire,  accepted the charges at a hearing at Scarborough Magistrates Court.

In addition to the fine, he was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £69 and costs of £490, giving a total amount due of £1,943.

Cllr Janet Jefferson, Scarborough Borough Council cabinet member for finance and operations, commented: “As part of our commitment to Building a Better Borough, we are committed to providing a good quality home for all our residents. Improving housing conditions within the private rented sector through the use of Selective Licensing is a key part of this. 

“It is not acceptable that some local landlords fail to meet their obligations to their tenants and flaunt legal requirements that exist to ensure the homes they manage are both licensed and safe.”

The council last week agreed to extend Selective Licensing into parts of the Weaponness and Ramshill Ward in Scarborough.

Extensive public consultation on this will be undertaken with residents, landlords, tenants, businesses and other stakeholders between January and the end of March next year.