Inverleith councillor Gavin Barrie has urged private tenants to ensure that their landlord is properly registered following the removal of a landlord from the register last month – the first time this power has been used in Edinburgh.
Evidence was heard at the City of Edinburgh Council’s Regulatory Committee on 22 June where Yousef Mohammed’s application to operate a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) at a flat in the south of the city was refused. In addition his name was removed from the landlord register when Councillors decided he did not meet the fit and proper person criteria. The result is that Mr Mohammed can no longer operate as a residential landlord in Edinburgh.
Councillors heard evidence that Mr Mohammed had failed to adequately tell them about his criminal convictions and defied previous decisions of the Council where he continued to rent out HMO properties whilst not holding a licence.
Inverleith Councillor Gavin Barrie, Convenor of the Regulatory Committee, said: “Edinburgh is open for all landlords who manage their properties and ensure that they are in good condition and that tenants can be safe and secure. However, for those who don’t, the Council will take firm action. I would encourage everyone seeking to rent privately to check the landlord register to ensure that their prospective landlord is registered.”