Fines of £45,000 were imposed in court this week as a result of 10 successful prosecutions by Sefton Council of three housing management companies.

Damp, mould and overcrowding were among the matters on which the charges were brought. All three defendants pleaded guilty to managing or being in control of properties without the required Selective Licence.

Carbon monoxide alarms

And in one case, carbon monoxide alarms had not been fitted and there were serious deficiencies in electrical installation.

Lev Properties was fined £25,000 for offences in five properties, while Roach Estates was fined £20,000 for managing properties without licences and failing to provide information. The third defendant, Singh Elite Properties, entered a guilty plea, but the court adjourned the matter until February, when sentencing will take place.

Sefton Council was alerted to one of the cases by a local resident, who suspected the property was being rented out and did not have the required licence.

Firm reminder

Cllr Daren Veidman, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Highways said: “These cases, which saw Sefton Council secure 10 successful prosecutions and £45,000 of fines imposed, are a firm reminder to landlords and property management companies that Sefton Council will take action against them if they do not comply with licensing agreements or provide properties that are fit and safe for people to live in.

“Last year the Council extended Licensing schemes for private rented homes, which enable us Council to step in and deal with poor management and hazards like those described in court yesterday, that tenants are facing.

“Since being introduced in 2018, the Licensing schemes have enabled us to step in and deal with over 3,000 serious health and safety hazards, including problems with fire safety, electrical hazards, damp & mould and excess cold.”

Licensing schemes extended

Last year, 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 October, a landlord with multiple premises in Bootle was fined over £22,630, including £20,000 for breaching the initial order and renting the property out unlicensed. The court noted that his tenants were in ‘immediate risk’ of danger and that if a fire had taken place, it would have been ‘catastrophic’.

Right to safe and secure home

Cllr Veidman added: “Yesterday’s prosecutions were a further reminder of our belief that tenants have a right to safe and secure home as a basic need and evidence that we are dedicating more time to enforcement cases.

“We will continue to inspect properties and work with landlords to ensure they are kept to an acceptable standards, but in cases where landlords refuse to comply, we will continue to seek prosecutions against landlords who do not follow the basic guidelines.

“And we will follow up on cases brought to our attention by members of the public as was the case here.”

More information

Landlords can find out if their property needs a licence and can make their application by visiting https://housinglicensing.sefton.gov.uk.

People can find out more about acceptable living standards for rented properties and how to make a complaint at www.sefton.gov.uk/Housing-standards.