Non-registered landlords face £5000 fines

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Landlords breaking the law by not registering with Renfrewshire Council now face having rent payments cut off and a fine of up to £5000 imposed.

Renfrewshire Council has employed an enforcement officer to make sure all landlords are registered as required by law. The enforcement officer will identify landlords who have not registered or made a valid application for registration and encourage them to do so.

If a landlord still fails to submit an application an additional fee, currently £110, can be imposed and the council can serve their tenants with a non-payment of rent notice, so that the landlord will not receive any rent. To have the notice revoked, the landlord will have to make a valid application or appeal to the Sheriff Court.

Failure to register is a criminal offence and, if convicted, unregistered landlords can be fined up to £5000.

Councillor Brian Lawson, convener of Renfrewshire Council's housing and community safety policy board, said: "Renfrewshire Council is committed to driving out rogue landlords who illegally let out poor-quality property."

"The role of the enforcement officer is to make landlords aware of what they need to do as well as the consequences of what can happen if they do not register. Landlords can also keep up to date by attending the next private landlord forum in Paisley Town Hall on Tuesday 19 February."

Renfrewshire Council's regulatory functions board will decide if a person is fit to register or if a landlord should be de-registered.

For information and advice on landlord registration, contact the council’s licensing section on 0141 840 3205 or by email private.landlord.licensing.cs@renfrewshire.gov.uk.

Press release: Thursday 7 February 2008