A landlord who failed to properly license a property he rents in Margate has been hit with a £3,000 fine.

Kevin Hall, of Athelstan Road, Margate, was prosecuted by Thanet District Council for attempting to dodge the rules.

He appeared at Canterbury Magistrates' Court last Tuesday and admitted failing to apply for a selective licence for the home in Dalby Road.

He was hit with the hefty fine and ordered to pay £120 costs and a victim surcharge of £170.

Cllr Lesley Ann Game, cabinet member for housing, said: “Selective licensing is a mandatory scheme and landlords renting out a property within the designated area must obtain a licence from the council. "Landlords without a licence should know we are robustly pursuing you.

"This fine of £3,000 should be a reminder to all landlords and property managers that there are significant penalties for non-compliance. ”

Since 2011, Thanet District Council has operated a selective licensing scheme in parts of Cliftonville West and Margate Central.

Unless subject to exemption, all privately rented properties in the designated area must be licensed.

The scheme was introduced to help improve management standards in the private rented sector and to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of tenants.

Anyone found to be operating a licensable property without a licence is liable to prosecution and unlimited fines.

Earlier this year the council prosecuted six landlords for a variety of housing-related offences, resulting in more than £32,000 in fines.

A selective licence costs £541.