A DARWEN landlord who failed to apply for the required licence has repaid more than £3,300 to the borough council.

The case is included in a report to the Blackburn with Darwen Council Forum tomorrow night by housing boss Yusuf Jan-Virmani.

He tells fellow councillors in the written report: “The landlord pleaded guilt to Blackburn Magistrates Court to renting out a property within the Darwen Selective Licensing Area without obtaining a licence.

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“He was sentenced to pay a £240 fine, £24 victim surcharge, £400 contribution to the council for the licence fee and £990 costs to the council.

“Since the court appearance the council has successfully obtained a Rent Repayment Order to recover housing benefit paid to the landlord whilst it was rented out without a licence.

“Under the Rent Repayment Order, the landlord was required to pay back a total of £3,306.13.”

Cllr Jan-Virmani’s report follows a similar prosecution in September last year when joint landlords of a property in South Street Darwen had to pay a total of £2,028.

He said: “I hope prosecutions like this send a clear message that the minority of landlords who try to work outside the law will not be tolerated.”