William Eichler 22 August 2017

Council prosecutes letting agent for issuing ‘sham licences’

Islington Council has successfully prosecuted a letting agent for issuing ‘sham licences’ in the first prosecution of its kind.

Green Live Ltd was fined £20,500, including compensation for the two victims of the sham licences, after they were reported to the council’s (housing) preventions and options team.

The letting agent issued the licences instead of tenancy agreements. They were designed to make the occupiers believe they had no right to challenge eviction or be given legally defined notice periods or minimum occupancy term periods.

The occupiers also did not benefit from the statutory deposit protection scheme because the agreement was not a tenancy.

The victims of the sham licences first contacted the (housing) preventions and options team at Islington Council in 2016 because they were not able to recover their deposits.

The team then contacted trading standards to alert it to concerns about the sham licences issued to the victims, which triggered an investigation culminating in prosecution.

Green Live Ltd pleaded guilty to two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 relating to the issuing of licences to occupy where the fact gave rise to a tenancy.

The company also pleaded guilty to a further offence under the regulations of using a letting agency association logo where it was not a member.

Green Live Ltd was fined £11,000 for the two sham licences issued and £5000 for the misuse of a logo. The two victims of the sham licences were awarded compensation totalling £3000 and Islington Council was awarded costs of £1500.

‘We want everyone in Islington to have a decent, secure home, and to be protected from illegal and precarious housing conditions,’ said Cllr Diarmaid Ward, Islington Council’s executive member for housing and development.

‘This case, which we believe is the first of its kind in the country, shows we will take action where letting agents break the law and issue sham licences.

‘We will not tolerate illegal practices like sham licences in Islington and if we become aware of any similar cases we will investigate with a view to prosecution.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Director of People

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. County hall
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Director of Strategy and Transformation

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. Preston, Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Care and Support Assistant -Longlands

West Northamptonshire Council
13.52ph
About the role We are looking for a dedicated Care and Support Worker to join our team at Longlands Care Home in Daventry. In this rewarding role, you will provide compassionate, person-centred care to older people and those living with dementia, includin Daventry
Recuriter: West Northamptonshire Council

Highway Design and Construction Manager

Bolton Council
Grade N, scp50 £62,443 to scp53 £65,663 per annum, plus essential car user allowance
We embrace AI to enhance our operations and to innovate our services. Bolton, Greater Manchester
Recuriter: Bolton Council

Social Worker - Huddersfield Royal Infirmary

Kirklees Metropolitan Council
£38,220 - £40,777
Looking to appoint as a Level 2 or Level 3 Social Worker. Kirklees, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Linkedin Banner