OLDHAM Council has successfully prosecuted a number of private landlords who failed to obtain licences for the properties they rent out.

Since the introduction of a licensing scheme in 2015 it’s a criminal offence to operate a privately rented property without a licence in eight areas in Oldham.

A landlord will also be committing a criminal offence if they fail to comply with any of the conditions of the licence granted to them.

Last month a number of landlords were prosecuted at Tameside Magistrates Court for failing to apply for a licence.

Councillor Hannah Roberts, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “The majority of private landlords in the areas where licensing is in force are supportive of this scheme because they, like us, know that the rented sector in Oldham needs to improve.

“Unfortunately we’re still coming across people who think the law doesn’t apply to them. These latest prosecutions show that we will take action against landlords who flout the law.

“It’s baffling as it's a lot cheaper to do things properly than to get caught out and go to court.”

“Some of the properties our officers have visited fail to meet the required homes standard, which can have a terrible impact on the health and welfare of tenants and the wider community.

“This scheme aims to make private landlords meet satisfactory standards of tenancy and property management.

“Not only that, but it’s about tenants acting responsibly in a way that does not blight their neighbourhood and shows respect for their neighbours.”

Those prosecuted were:

Fazal Ali, 28, of Richmond Street, Ashton, pleaded guilty in court and was fined £500 with £675 costs and £50 victim surcharge for a property on Howardian Close, Oldham.

Paul Jack Morris, 45, of Dorset Avenue, Shaw, pleaded guilty by post and was fined £500 with £675 costs and £50 victim surcharge for a rented property on Hadfield Street, Oldham.

Jonathan Evans, 51, of Parklands Avenue, New Mills, pleaded guilty in court and was fined £500 with £650 costs and £50 victim surcharge for a rented property on Denbigh Street, Hathershaw.

Hassan Aman Sidique, 36, of Copster Hill Road, Oldham, pleaded guilty and was fined £500 with £675 costs and £50 victim surcharge for a rented property on Copsterhill Road.

Mohammed Mazhar Choudhary, 50, of Cronkeyshaw Avenue, Rochdale, pleaded guilty by post and was fined £500 with £675 costs and £50 victim surcharge for a rented property on Brewerton Road, Oldham.

Mohammed Razaq, 51, of Queens Road, Oldham, pleaded guilty and was fined £500 with £650 costs and £50 victim surcharge for a rented property on Eric Street, Oldham.

Jamal Miah, Hamidur Rahman and Komrul Hussain, of Stirling Street, Oldham, failed to apply for a licence for a rented property on Denmark Street, Oldham. Mr Miah attended court and pleaded guilty and Mr Rahman and Mr Hassan pleaded guilty by post. All were fined £170 each with £258 costs, plus £3 victim surcharge.

Mark Thompson, of Scowcroft Lane, Shaw, Oldham, failed to attend court and was fined £1,000 with £675 costs and £100 victim surcharge for a property he rents out on Kingsbridge Road.

The following offenders were fined for failing to licence their rented properties:

Mohammed Eshan, of Linwood Grove, Manchester, failed to attend court. He was found guilty and fined £1000 with £650 costs and £100 victim surcharge for a rented property on Ralstone Avenue, Oldham.

Shamina Khatun, of Kimberley Street, Oldham, was fined £1,000 with £650 costs and £100 victim surcharge for a rented property on Wallace Street, Oldham.

Sumra Hussain, of Elgin Road, Oldham, failed to attend court and was fined £1,000 with £650 costs and £100 victim surcharge for a rented property on Erith Road, Oldham.

Rizwan Raziq, of Taunton Road, Ashton Under Lyne, was fined £500 with £650 and victim surcharge £50 for a rented property on Dane Street, Oldham.

Shalina Bibi, of Fernhurst Street, Chadderton, pleaded guilty by post and was fined £500 with £675 costs and £50 victim surcharge for a rented property on Ward Street, Oldham.

These cases were heard in Tameside Magistrates for failing to license a rented property:

Istiak Ahmed Khan 36, of Newport Street, Oldham, and Boshir Ali, of Rochdale Road, Oldham, both pleaded guilty by post and were fined £300 with £675 costs and £30 victim surcharge for rented properties on Sylvan Street and Mitchell Street, Oldham.

Ali Akbar, of Westend Street, Oldham, failed to attend court and was fined £490 with £675 costs and £49 victim surcharge for a rented property on Hollins Road.

Alaur Rahman 51, of Villiers Drive, Oldham, attended court, pleaded guilty and was fined £300 with £675 costs and £30 victim surcharge for a rented property on Featherstall Road North, Oldham.

Sabeena Begum, 28, of Bluebell Walk, Oldham, failed to attend court and in her absence was found guilty. She was fined £490 with £675 costs and £49 victim surcharge for her rented property on Colwyn Street, Oldham.

All the offenders will have to apply and pay for a licence from Oldham Council.

The Housing Act 2004 gives councils the power to introduce the licensing of private rented homes, within a designated area.

The licence fee is £490 per rented property. The fee can either be paid in its entirety on application - or there's an instalment option of paying half of the licence on application and the remaining half of the fee six months from the application date. The fee covers five years.

If you have any queries regarding the scheme please email landlordlicensing@oldham.gov.uk or call 0161 770 2244.