A CRACKDOWN on unsuitable landlords in an area of Burnley has led to one property magnate being fined £2,000 by magistrates.

Landlords who own a house in the Trinity ward have been warned that they need to be licensed by the borough council.

Under a selective licensing scheme, housing bosses have been trying to weed out unsuitable landlords and ensure basic standards for rented properties.

But despite being asked on at least three occasions to comply with the new ruling over a home in Cog Lane, Brendan Kiely was hauled before the courts.

Reedley magistrates convicted him in his absence of failing to be licensed, under the Housing Act, and fined him £2,000 with £150 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Emma Barker, prosecuting on behalf of Burnley Borough Council, said the provisions were introduced in areas of low housing demand and high complaints of anti-social behaviour.

Kiely was a director of the Manchester-based Hometrader Group and should have been well aware of the licensing requirements, she told the court.

Housing officials spoke with Kiely personally about the matter, said Miss Barker, and letters were sent to him.

The court heard that Kiely was a director of a number of housing companies, with properties located in the Trinity area and beyond.

Selective licensing has been operating in the neighbourhood since 2008, where the irresponsible practices of some were contributing to high levels of anti-social behaviour, dirty back yards and other problems in the area.

Coun Martin Smith, executive member for regeneration and housing, said the licensing scheme had been a great success.