Hunmanby landlord fined £1,384 for failing to selectively license properties in Victoria Road, Scarborough

Following a prosecution brought by Scarborough Borough Council, John Hood of Farfield Farm, Bridlington Road, pleaded guilty to the charges at a hearing at Scarborough Magistrates Court on December 19.

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 £,1943.

Cllr Janet Jefferson, Scarborough Borough Council Cabinet Member for Finance and Operations said: “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.”

On Tuesday last week, the council’s Cabinet approved the business case to extend Selective Licensing into parts of the Weaponness and Ramshill Ward in Scarborough.

An extensive public consultation on this will be undertaken with residents, landlords, tenants, businesses and other stakeholders between January and the end of March 2020.