A landlord who failed to provide a council with information about one of his properties when served notices requiring him to do so has been fined.

The landlord was found guilty of offences under the Housing Act 2004 and the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976.

On 24 January 2023, an officer from Coventry council inspected a property in the city as they suspected it was an unlicensed HMO.

As part of its investigation into potential breaches of housing legislation, the council served the landlord with a Requisition for Information Notice under section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976, and a notice requiring him to produce documents under section 235 of the Housing Act 2004.

The landlord failed to respond to both of the notices and was found guilty in his absence at Birmingham and Solihull Magistrates’ Court.

He was fined £770 for the offences, ordered to pay £300 in court costs and a £308 victim surcharge.

A spokesperson from the council says: “We are committed to improving standards of private sector housing accommodation across the city.

“When accommodation is not being responsibly managed and regulations are breached, we will use the range of legal powers at our disposal to take action to help ensure that tenants can enjoy a safe and healthy home.

“This prosecution sends a clear message to landlords that notices from the Council need to be taken seriously, and that we will not hesitate to prosecute those who choose to ignore their legal obligations.”