Landlord in second prosecution under compulsory licensing and registration scheme

A landlord who ignored the Rent Smart Wales scheme faces a bill of more than £3,500 for non-compliance.

Landlord Shelley Bailey of Wotton-Under-Edge, Gloucestershire, was prosecuted under the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 for breaking the law requiring all private landlords with properties in Wales to register and all self-managing landlords and agents to become trained and licensed.

She was found guilty of 21 offences in her absence at Cardiff Magistrates Court, fined £3,580 and ordered to pay £457 costs.

Bailey, who owns property in Cardiff, has become the second landlord to be prosecuted for failing to meet Rent Smart Wales requirements.

A spokesperson for Rent Smart Wales told EYE that as yet, no agents have been issued with notices or fines under the scheme.

Rent Smart Wales is run on behalf of the Welsh government by Cardiff Council.

Cabinet member for housing and communities Cllr Lynda Thorne said: “Rent Smart Wales was established to drive up standards in the private rented sector, protecting tenants and ensuring landlords and agents are fit and proper, and aware of their rights and responsibilities.

“Landlords and agents had a full year to comply before the November 2016 deadline when enforcement powers became active, but despite this, some landlords believe they can continue to flout the law and side-step complying.”

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