Landlords Face Numerous Fines

Eugene Burton, 57, landlord, who lives in the Mersey House Caravan Park, in Partington, which is located near Manchester, was ordered a £8,000 fine after the investigation showed that he committed a fraud by failing to inform the local authorities that his tenant has moved and by continuing to receive his tenant’s housing benefit. He was pleaded guilty for receiving the housing benefit since August 2005 till December 2007. The investigation took place as counter fraud officers at the Council were alerted by local authorities; they have carried out a data matching exercise, which revealed that Mr. Burton’s card was involved in the fraud. Mr. Burton, the landlord, claimed that the obtaining of a housing benefit, which amounted roughly to £8075 was a misunderstanding. Despite his claims, the Manchester Crown Court has sentenced him to a conditional 12 month sentence and a fine of £500 to cover the Court expenses. The Judge, Thomas QC, said that although the landlord was not fount by the investigation to have been dishonest, his card has been marked. The Judge added that in case the same situation repeats, he would send Mr. Burton to prison. John Tolhurst, Executive Councillor, claimed that the Council is determined to prosecute all landlords who try to defraud the system as the Council has to protect public money. Another case is associated with Timothy Williams, 45, a Cheltenham landlord, who was ordered to pay £1,000 in fines, £250 in prosecution costs, and £15 in Government surcharge as a result of an investigation into a fire at a buy to let property, belonging to him, which uncovered the fact that the house was not licensed. In Novermber 2008, fire fighters had to rescue 5 people from a terraced house, located in Lincoln and belonging to Mr. Williams.