A landlord is facing what a local authority calls “a substantial fine” for failing to license a rented property.

After pleading guilty to the charges, landlord Glenn McDowall was fined £10,900 including costs, by magistrates.

A Sefton Council spokesperson says:“Landlords must register private rented properties under Sefton Council’s Selective and Additional (HMO) Licensing schemes and as this and other cases have shown, failure to do so is costly.

“Our Licensing schemes are in place to improve the management of privately rented properties and ensure tenants have safe and secure homes to live in.”

In 2023, Sefton Council extended its Selective and Additional (HMO) Licensing schemes for private rented homes until the end of February 2028. The schemes, which cover approaching 4,000 private rented properties across the Borough, enable the Council to step in and deal with poor management and hazards being faced by tenants. 

In December 2024, fines totalling £45,000 were imposed three housing management companies after the same council brought a number of prosecutions. These included managing or being in control of properties without the required Selective Licence. There were also charges relating to damp, mould and overcrowding. And in October last year, a landlord with multiple premises was fined over £22,630, including £20,000 for breaching the initial order and renting the property out unlicensed.