Local landlord faces ₤22k bill for operating unlicensed properties

A Landlord has been hit with a total bill of over ₤22,000 after being found guilty at Liverpool Magistrates Court for managing 25 properties without a compulsory licence.

The licensing scheme for private landlords was introduced by Liverpool City Council, in April 2015, with the aim of improving the private rental sector.

Joseph Doyle, of Gorse Hey Court, Queens Drive, failed to appear in Court during December 2017 and was found guilty of failing to licence the property in accordance with the scheme in his absence. During the sentencing hearing on 22 February 2018, Mr Doyle was fined ₤18,750 plus costs of ₤3,444.75 and a victim surcharge of ₤120.

A number of properties owned by Joseph Doyle 1st came to the attention of Liverpool City Council during early 2016, none of which had been licensed but were believed to be tenanted. Despite receiving in excess of 25 reminders, he still failed to act.

David Woods, Solicitor for Mr Doyle, confirmed in mitigation that licensing of his properties had gone largely unattended by Mr Doyle due to his personal circumstances.

During sentencing, District Judge Shaw stated that the Court process had involved a number of hearings since September 2017 and the offending period had taken place over a long period of time.

District Judge Shaw also noted that many of his tenants were long-standing and happy in Mr Doyle's properties, but that Liverpool City Council had tried hard to liaise with Mr Doyle and that his personal circumstances did not excuse his failure to licence.

Cllr Frank Hont, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:- "We have many good private landlords in Liverpool, but we take it very seriously when they do not comply with their duties. We will continue to work hard on behalf of those tenants who find themselves in sub standard accommodation, taking landlords to task when they flagrantly breach the law. The message from the courts is clear: if you are a private landlord you need a landlord licence, otherwise it will cost you dear."

More than 41,000 homes have been licensed as part of Liverpool's scheme, but another 6,500 have been reported as unlicensed by tenants and stakeholders.

Tenants can report issues of disrepair in private rented properties that have not been dealt with by their landlord to:- Environmental.Health@Liverpool.Gov.UK and you can also check if a property has the required licence online.

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram Challenges House Builders

THE Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram Speaking at his own housing summit, challenged house builders to make the Region an exemplar for innovation, sustainability and design excellence..

We have also seen the publication by the Combined Authority of the 1st Liverpool City Region wide Brownfield Register, detailing all of the nearly 400 brownfield sites ready for development. This is in line with the Metro Mayor's pledge to adopt a "brownfield 1st" approach to development in the City Region.

Senior figures from across the housing sector gathered for the summit, held at the Merseyside Maritime Museum.

Speakers including David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation (NHF), Emma Maier, editor of Inside Housing, and Mayor Joe Anderson, Housing Portfolio holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, discussed how the housing sector needs to adapt to the challenges of the 21st Century.

Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe, Chair of the National Housing Federation, also launched:- "Home Truths," the NHF's snapshot analysis of the housing market in the Liverpool City Region, outlining challenges for the City Region, including accessing good quality affordable housing, and tackling the large number of empty properties, often clustered in deprived areas.

Speaking about the summit, Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor, said:- "Housing is a vitally important issue for the Liverpool City Region, which is why I made a number of manifesto commitments on the issue, including holding this summit. Devolution means that by working with our Local Authorities we can develop a housing strategy that is right for the needs of the people of the Liverpool City Region in the 21st Century and which will also contribute to my main priority of boosting economic development in a way that benefits all of our communities. Today I have challenged the building sector to work with us to make this City Region an exemplar for innovation, sustainability and design excellence. As Metro Mayor I can't make these things happen on my own, but what I can do, through events such as this summit, is bring people from across the sector together to make these things happen."

Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson, Housing Portfolio holder for the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, said:- "I have long said that the City's housing market needs a fundamental rethink and that is why last month the City Council set up a new ethical housing company, called Foundations, which over the next decade will create 10,000 affordable new homes and inject more than ½ a billion pounds into the City's economy.  This company will breathe new life into communities, will revolutionise the City's rent to buy sector, and generate thousands of new construction jobs in the process."

Ciaran Tully, External Affairs Manager for the National Housing Federation, said:- "Liverpool City Region's housing market is broken and we need to work together to solve it. Housing associations are a vital part of the solution and have already built over a ¼ of homes in the area in the last 3 years. We know there is more we can do and are ready to work with the Mayor, Local Government and businesses to achieve this, creating even more affordable and great places for everyone to live."

Creamfields 2018 - Line up Announced

WITH 21 years at the forefront of electronic music festivals, there are very few that quite compare to the behemoth that is Creamfields. For the 2018 edition, the festival once again unleashes a stellar line up that is mind blowing in depth and breadth, with artists from across the full spectrum of dance music set to make the trip to the fields of Cheshire for another 4 day extravaganza that looks set to be bigger than ever.

Taking place on August Bank Holiday weekend, Creamfields 2018 will see over 300 artists perform across 30 stages, for a 4 day spectacular that will see 70,000 people come together for what has now taken pride of place as the premier event for dance music fans across the globe. From house to techno, trance to drum & bass, this year's edition has it all, featuring performances from the likes of:- Above & Beyond, Adam Beyer, Alesso, Andy C, Annie Mac, Armin van Buuren, Armand van Helen, Axwell & Ingrosso, The Black Madonna, Carl Cox, Camelphat, The Chainsmokers, Chase & Status (DJ set), Danny Howard, Dillon Francis, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Diplo, Disciples, DJ EZ, Don Diablo, Duke Dumont, Dusky, Eric Prydz presents HOLO, Fatboy Slim, Faithless (DJ Set), Galantis, Giggs, Goldie, Green Velvet, Groove Armada (DJ Set), Hannah Wants, Hardwell, Hot Since 82, Idris Elba, Jamie Jones, Joris Voorn, Joseph Capriati, Kölsch, Krept X Konan, Laidback Luke, Leftfield (DJ Set), Loco Dice, Luciano, Major Lazer (Live), Marco Carola, Martin Garrix, Martin Solveig, Maya Jane Coles, Mistajam, MK, Nicole Moudaber, Oliver Heldens, Patrick Topping, Paul van Dyk, Pete Tong, Ramz, Roni Size, Rudimental (DJ Set), Sasha & John Digweed, Sigala, Sigma, Skream, Solardo, Stefflon Don, Steve Angello (Live), Sub Focus, Sven Väth, Tchami & Malaa (No Redemption), Tiësto, Timmy Trumpet, Vini Vici, Virtual Self, Wilkinson (DJ Set) feat. MC AD-APT, W&W and Yousef to name a few.

With ground breaking stage production, a wide range of camping options, including the luxury Dreamfields packages and a range of music that is sure to get the pulse racing, it's a sure bet that Creamfields 21 is going to be 1 to remember.

Tickets on sale now:- Creamfields.Com.