A court in Fife has granted the first disqualification order against a private landlord in Scotland.
First Private Landlord in Scotland Granted Disqualification Order
The man, understood to be Mohammed Murtaza, 47, from Kirkcaldy, was found guilty of breaching both the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 and the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. Sheriff Gilchrist described the case as “a flagrant breach of legislation”.
The landlord was convicted at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court for continuing as a landlord, even though his registration had been rejected by Fife Council in 2015, because he had six previous convictions for failing to comply with his private landlord duties under the Antisocial Behaviour (Scotland) Act 2004 and for being in breach of Gas Safety (Installation & Use) Regulations 1998.
John Mills, the Head of Housing at Fife Council, comments on the case: “A significant proportion of private landlords are of good character and comply with the law. However, there are some who act unlawfully.
“We work closely with our partner services, including Private Housing Standards, Safer Communities, Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and Police Scotland, to assist and support landlords to comply with the legislative requirements of being fit and proper landlords.”
He adds: “The outcome of this particular case sends a clear message to private landlords in Fife that the council will continue to take all appropriate action to protect tenants and improve property standards in the private sector.”
Landlords, we have put together some helpful guides to detail your legal obligations and explain how to comply with lettings law.
They are completely free for you to read if you sign up to us for free here: /guides/
Don’t miss out on these essential guidelines – They will help you avoid being convicted of housing offences and a potential disqualification order!
We encourage all landlords to stick to the law and provide safe, secure homes for their tenants.