A local authority has fined four landlords who failed to licence a total of seven properties under its selective licensing scheme.

Hastings Borough Council successfully prosecuted landlords Peter Gilbey, Elizabeth Brandt, Jeremy Vane and Amanda Wray, according to the Hastings Observer.

Wray was handed the biggest fine – £2,000 with £1,728 costs and a £200 victim surcharge.

Brandt and Vane, meanwhile, were found guilty in absence and fined £500 with £432 costs and a £50 victim surcharge.

Gilbey pleaded guilty and was fined £350, with £432 costs and a victim surcharge of £50.

Councillor Andy Batsford, lead member for housing, commented: “These properties fall within one of the seven wards in the borough that are required to be licensed under the council’s selective licencing scheme introduced in 2016.”

“We ask all new or long-term landlords in the selective licensing area to check and obtain the correct licence or you will be prosecuted.”

He said the aim of the scheme is to ‘improve conditions, management standards and tenancy practices’ in the area.

Earlier this week, Brent Council in London extended its licensing scheme to cover an additional five areas from June.