The landlord told the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) that the superior landlord from whom he rented the property had mislead him as to whether the property had an appropriate licence and that, therefore, he had a reasonable excuse for not having applied for an HMO licence himself.

The cross party parliamentary committee reviewing the Government's legislative proposals for reforming the private rented sector have taken on board concerns expressed about some of the proposals set out in the Fairer Private Rented Sector white paper published by DLUHC last year.

Brighton and Hove City Council imposed the penalties on the landlord for 3 licensing breaches which were related to fire safety and lack of ventilation issues.

In the case of the Coventry landlords, their property was found to have deteriorated over a number of years to the point that it was unfit to live in. There was no heating or hot water and gas and electrical safety tests hadn't been carried out.

The council had appealed against the decision of the First Tier Tribunal (FTT) to cancel the civil penalties imposed on the landlord in respect of 2 properties that should have had selective licences before being rented out.

The council inspected the property "following concerns around the state and condition of the rear yard" where waste had built up, a drain gully was blocked, there was "incomplete" provision for proper drainage and a risk of vermin infestation.

Stoke on Trent Council has announced that it is working in partnership with a community charity, Groundwork West Midlands, to reach out to private rented sector tenants to raise awareness of energy performance certificates (EPC) and offer advice on energy efficiency in order to reduce fuel poverty.

Trophy Homes Ltd pleaded guilty at the Magistrates Court to failing to apply for licences for two HMOs which it rented out to students and the District Judge hearing the case said the company was "poorly run" and showed a "clear lack of regard" for the tenants.

The landlord failed to attend the Magistrates Court hearing and was ordered to pay a fine of £660, costs of £300 and a victim surcharge of £65 for "failing to properly licence a house .... he owned and rented out.

The rent repayment order (RRO) was set at 50% of the potential total of £19,760 that could have been imposed in this case by the First Tier Tribunal (FTT). The landlord also had to pay £300 in costs.