Rent Smart Wales first prosecution

Rent Smart Wales has taken its first landlord to court for failing to obtain a licence with the scheme.

Newport landlord, Robert Grovell got a fine of £4,400 for his unlicensed house in multiple occupation.

Under Section 7(5) of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 all Welsh landlords need to be registered with the Rent Smart Wales scheme, and although Grovell was registered he was not licensed to manage the HMO.

Mr Grovell pleaded guilty to a number of other offences relating to the rental HMO: an escape route blocked with furniture, and the property's layout was deemed unsafe for escape from fire.

In total, Newport City Council ordered Mr Grovell to pay, a fine of £4,400, £1,000 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.

Rent Smart Wales checks identified that Grovell was “registered but not licensed” even though he was carrying out management activities at the property.

Bethan Jones of Rent Smart Wales comments:

 “This case is a real milestone for Rent Smart Wales, being the first prosecution of a non-compliant landlord.This prosecution sends a strong message to other non-compliant landlords who continue to flout the law and those who haven’t complied should come forward now to avoid action against them.”
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