Landlord could go to jail after failing to license flats

A landlord has been hit with £15,000 costs and warned he could face jail after failing to license 20 flats.

Jamsheed Kamali, 55, pleaded guilty to all 20 offences of letting the flats in Salford, Greater Manchester, when he appeared at Minshull Street Crown Court.

He was fined £500 per offence and ordered to pay an additional £5,000 in costs. He was told he could face a jail sentence if he does not pay his fines.

Salford Council introduced compulsory licensing in Broughton, where Kamali’s properties are, in November 2009.

Gena Merrett, assistant mayor for housing and environment at Salford Council, said: “This is an excellent result and should send a warning shot across the bows of any landlord who is considering ignoring their legal responsibilities.

“Without a licence, we have no way of knowing if the landlord is behaving responsibly or that he or she has satisfactory management arrangements in place and holds the necessary gas and electricity safety certificates to keep tenants safe.

“Mr Kamali has been renting these flats without a licence since September 2010, despite repeated warnings from the council that this was illegal. Only in April 2012, after we had begun court action, did he finally apply for licences which were granted.

“Since landlord licensing was introduced it has proved very popular with tenants and other residents because it protects them against anti-social behaviour.

“It also protects landlords because the council can support them in dealing with any difficult tenants.”