Mr Keith Trickett of Y Rhodfa in Barry has been fined £750, ordered to pay court costs of £607 and a £30 victim surcharge after appearing at Cardiff Magistrates Court for failing to register and apply for a landlord licence with Rent Smart Wales.
The Housing (Wales) Act 2014 requires landlords to register themselves and their properties on the Rent Smart Wales database. Self-managing landlords must also apply for a licence.
Despite being contacted by Rent Smart Wales, Mr Trickett failed to complete his landlord registration and failed to register his rental property in Fairwater, Cardiff.
Cllr Lynda Thorne, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities at Cardiff Council, the single licensing authority for Rent Smart Wales, said:
“The majority of landlords realise the importance of working with Rent Smart Wales to ensure that they comply fully with the legislation.
“However, there are some that still seem to think that they are above the law, but this legal action sends a clear message that this kind of behaviour brings serious consequences.
“The sad thing is that this could have been so easily avoided. I would strongly urge any unregistered landlords, or landlords with unregistered properties, to contact Rent Smart Wales immediately and work with us to make sure that they are fully compliant.”
Rent Smart Wales can be contacted online at www.rentsmart.gov.wales or by calling 03000 133344.
