Blackpool landlord fined a ‘big one’

A Blackpool landlord will be regretting his decision to illegally convert one of his properties into flats after the courts issued a bill of more than £6000 last week.

The case acts as a warning to other landlords who choose to ignore local authority rules.

Officers at Blackpool Council discovered a house owned by Brendan Kieley was being used as four flats in June 2008. This was in breach of a planning enforcement notice requiring it to be a single family home. When officers returned to the property in February this year they discovered the notice was still being breached.

Mr Kieley Director of Hometrader (North East) Ltd was fined £350, £100 costs and £15 victims surcharge personally, this was in addition to the £6000 fine issued to his Hometrader (North East) Ltd business.

Councillor Gary Coleman, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration and urban development, said: “The council will prosecute anyone found to be breaching rules that put Blackpool residents in danger.”

The message here is clear – local councils won’t be shy to act. If you don’t work with the authorities and obtain appropriate permissions you will end up in court.

Call Legal 4 Landlords if you need any advice on amends you’re able to carry out on a buy to let property.