Warning to property owners and landlords after individual ordered to pay £4,700

Property owners, landlords and tenants are being reminded to respond to requests for information about a property, after an individual was ordered to pay more than £4,700 in fines and costs for not supplying information requested by Shropshire Council.

In a case brought by Shropshire Council and heard at Telford Magistrates Court yesterday (Monday 11 March 2024), Simon Williams, from Manchester and with interests in a property in Shrewsbury, was fined £1,000, and ordered to pay a victims surcharge of £400 and costs of £3,360.85 – a total of £4,760.85.   

He was charged under Section 16 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 for failing to respond regarding a property which had been complained about in respect of anti-social behaviour, possible poor housing conditions, and possibly operating as a House of Multiple Occupation.  

The defendant was not in attendance and the Court agreed to proceed in his absence.