I was targeted — fined landlord

A HATHERSHAW landlord says he will carry on campaigning against a licensing scheme despite being prosecuted by the council.

The Chronicle reported yesterday that Kamran Ghafoor was ordered to pay more than £2,500 in costs and a fine by Oldham magistrates when he failed to address problems at a property in Villa Road.

Mr Ghafoor (32), who was a key player in forming the Hathershaw Landlords Association (HLA), thinks he was singled out after rebelling against a new licensing scheme being piloted in the area. He has also issued an apology, arguing he was in a difficult financial position when Oldham Council demanded he fixed several faults at the property in June last year.

He said: “I would like to apologise for my difficult financial position that lead to the notice not being adhered to.

“I take my landlord duties seriously.”

Mr Ghafoor, who pleaded guilty to an offence under the Housing Act 2004, vowed to continue working with the HLA to oppose a compulsory scheme run by the council that landlords have to pay to join.

He said: “I and other landlords have campaigned successfully against this scheme.

“It feel it will increase costs which will ultimately be borne by the tenants.

“I hope I’ve not been singled out for this reason.”

He added that he had tried to deal with the tenant in question responsibly and assist her in her wish to move out of the area.