Stafford rogue landlord fines to be approved

Stafford Borough Council chiefs are set to give a green light to the plans at a cabinet meeting on Thursday.

The council wants to introduce civil penalties as a way to punish rogue landlords quicker, instead of having to go through the lengthy court system process.

The fines would range from £1,000 to £30,000 for a variety of offences including renting out properties that have excess damp and mould, electrical hazards or are deemed to be below standard.

Councillor Jeremy Pert, Stafford Borough Council's community portfolio holder, said: "The overwhelming majority of landlords in the Borough provide a high standard of accommodation and have an excellent relationship with the Council and their tenants.

"However, there are a very small number that fail to engage with the Council and knowingly rent unsafe and substandard accommodation.

"In light of the generally high standard of both accommodation and landlords in the Borough it is anticipated this power will be rarely used, however, it will ensure officers have all the necessary legislative tools at their disposal to protect the health, safety and welfare of tenants in the private rented sector.

"The introduction of financial penalty charge notices as an additional enforcement measure allows authorised officers to choose the best course of action in regards to the behaviour and actions of non-compliant landlords.

"The Government’s position is clear in requiring Local Authorities to be robust in their enforcement approach."

This follows on from one case last year where a Stafford landlord was found guilty of charges including failing to fit a suitable fire detection system at an address in Marston Grove, Stafford, as well as failing to keep the property in good condition and not obtaining a licence from the borough council.

He was fined £14,000 but under proposed new rules, if the council were to give out civil penalties, they could be more than double of that.