Landlord banned from renting homes

Feb 7 2013

A landlord convicted of offences linked to his flat-letting business has been banned from renting out properties in the capital.

Mark Fortune was refused entry on to the landlord register by Edinburgh City Council.

The decision makes it a criminal offence for him to rent out property in the city, council officials said.

It was the first time the local authority's regulatory committee refused an application for someone to get on the register of fit and proper landlords.

The decision, made earlier this month, came after councillors heard Fortune had been convicted of offences directly related to his business of letting properties.

In March 2011, he was fined £1,000 for operating an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). Around six months later, in September that year, he was fined £650 for threatening tenants, the council said.

Committee convener councillor Gavin Barrie said: "Whilst the significant majority of landlords are of good character and comply with the law there are some, such as Mark Fortune, who act unlawfully.

"Private rented property is an important part of the housing market in Edinburgh and landlord registration laws have an important part to play in ensuring tenants and neighbours can live their lives safe from crime, disorder and danger.

"This decision sends a clear message to good landlords, tenants and their neighbours that we will take robust action against landlords who act unlawfully."

Tenants can see if their landlord is registered by checking the Scottish Government's national landlord registration website. Unregistered and unlicensed lets can be reported to local authorities.