Three landlords have become the first to be prosecuted by a council – almost three years after the authority introduced a selective licensing scheme.

Hyndburn council introduced selective licensing in December 2012, requiring landlords in four specific areas to apply for a licence.

Now Suzanne Smith of Oswaldtwistle has pleaded guilty to an offence under Section 95 of the Housing Act 2004, for failing to correctly licence her rental property in Accrington. 

Alastair MacDonald of Clitheroe has been convicted in his absence of failing to obtain a landlord licence for his rental property at Accrington. And Brian Capstick of Accrington has pleaded guilty of failing to obtain a landlord licence for his rental property at the town. 

Despite almost three years elapsing between the introduction of the licensing scheme and any prosecution, a spokeswoman for the council claims it is “taking the selective licensing scheme very seriously.”