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Leeds landlords warned after £3,500 fine
A Leeds letting agent is the first in the city to be fined for failing to license a shared student house.
Futura 2000 Ltd, which trades as Apex Homes on The Crescent in Hyde Park, Leeds, was fined 3,500 and ordered to pay 1,500 in costs.
It rented out a house in Kensington Terrace, Headingley, to seven students without registering it as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).
All shared houses and bedsits with more than four tenants living over two storeys must have an HMO licence, which sets standards for fire and amenity safety.
It is the first time Leeds City Council has successfully prosecuted a private landlord for failing to hold the licence under the Housing Act 2004.
Futura 2000 Ltd pleaded guilty to the breach.
Coun Les Carter, Leeds City Council's executive board member for housing, said it had been a "mammoth task" to monitor the private rented sector.
"As an experienced company, they should have known better. Thousands of landlords complied with the requirement to license their property. It would be unfair on them, as well as tenants, if we were not seen to take firm action against those who don't follow the rules.
"This ruling should send a clear message to landlords that we will take legal action against those who have not applied."
The council has received more than 2,600 applications for HMO licences since it became law in 2006.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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