THREE Hyndburn landlords have become the first prosecuted under the borough’s controversial selective licensing scheme for rented homes.

They paid fines and court costs totalling almost £3,000.

Hyndburn housing boss Clare Cleary said the penalties show the council means business.

But borough landlords’ spokesman Paul Brown said small fines for technical breaches nearly three years after the scheme’s introduction show it is ‘a waste of time and money’.

The council introduced the initiative in December 2012 and it affects landlords in parts of Church, Kirk, Peel, Springhill, West Accrington and Woodnook.

In August, Suzanne Smith of Oswaldtwistle admitted not correctly licensing her rental property in Wilfred Street, Accrington. She was fined £200 and paid £320 in associated costs.

On September 3, Alastair Buchanan MacDonald of Clitheroe was convicted in his absence of failing to obtain a licence for his property in Cobham Road, Accrington. He received a £2,000 penalty including a £600 fine.

Brian Capstick of Accrington pleaded guilty on September 10 to failing to obtain a licence for his property at Princess Street, Accrington paying a £130 fine and £295 in associated costs.

Cllr Cleary said; “These prosecutions send a clear message we are taking the selective licensing scheme very seriously .”

But Mr Brown said: “It is a waste of time and money.

“It has taken them three years to bring three prosecutions.”