Newport landlord is first to be fined for non-compliance with Rent Smart Wales

The first fine has been issued to a landlord for not being registered or licenced under the Rent Smart Wales scheme. Landlords who rent out properties in Wales have, since November 2016, been required to register with Rent Smart Wales and must now provide information about both themselves and their properties. Also, landlords must also either have a licence to be a landlord in Wales, or use a letting or managing agent who is licenced. Rent Smart Wales The first landlord to be collared by the scheme is Robert Ivor Grovell who lives in the village of Llanfrechfa outside Newport. After being successfully prosecuted Grovell must now pay £4,400 both for failing to comply with Rent Smart Wales but also for operating a “dangerous, unlicensed house in multiple occupation”, the organisation says. He must also pay costs of £1,000 and a victim surcharge of £170. Non-compliance Grovell was prosecuted under Section 7(5) of the Housing (Wales) Act 2014 at Newport Magistrates court for his non-compliance. The offence was one of a number brought against him by Newport City Council for housing-related offences at a property on Orchard Street in Newport to which he pleaded guilty. In December last year Environmental…

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