SEVEN unlicensed landlords have been fined thousands of pounds for illegally renting out properties in Blackburn.

The latest crackdown by Blackburn with Darwen Council in the Griffin area of the town saw seven men prosecuted under legislation designed to ensure privately-rented properties are well managed.

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The initiative sees licences issued for up to five years to those who meet a number of criteria including providing energy performance certificates and fitting and maintaining smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.

Landlords operating without a licence risk prosecution and could receive an unlimited fine.

They may also have to return rent from the last 12 months.

Executive member for neighbourhood and prevention services, Cllr Arshid Mahmood, said: “Our vision is to build safer and stronger communities and improve people’s health and wellbeing and we believe Selective Licensing can help us to achieve that.”

Sajid Malik, of Colbran Street, Burnley, was ordered to pay £1,234, including £508 costs and a victim surcharge over failure to hold a licence for 32 Sandon Street, Blackburn.

Mustak Ali Ugrader, 49, of Brookhouse Gardens, Blackburn, has to pay £1,159, including a victim surcharge and £400 costs for not having a licence for 14 Norman Street, Blackburn.

Jason Parkington, 25, of Redlam, Blackburn, has to pay £1,234, including a victim surcharge and costs of £508 as the landlord of a flat over 3 New Chapel Street, Blackburn, for which he didn’t have a licence.

Paul Andrew Booth, 47, of Pinewood, Blackburn, and Marc Ashley Booth, 41, of Beechwood Drive, Blackburn, will both pay a fine for not having a licence for 8 St James Street, Blackburn.

Paul Booth will pay £921 including £671 costs and a victim surcharge and Marc Booth was to pay £140 including a victim surcharge.

Jonathan Young, 46, of Bosburn Drive, Mellor Brook, will pay £950 for not having a licence for 17 Herschell Street, Blackburn.

Jason Johanson, 33, of Mill Hill Street, Blackburn, will pay £785 of which £400 were costs and a £35 victim surcharge for not having a licence for 22 St George’s Avenue, Blackburn.