A LANDLORD has been fined £500 for failing to supply correct information.

Banbury magistrates heard that Sikander Hayat, 35, of East Street, Banbury, did not comply with a notice served under section 235 of the Housing Act 2004 which required him to give Cherwell District Council information on rental income, tenancy agreements, and rent books on a house he owns and lets in the town's Padbury Drive.

The court was told that council officers suspected Mr Hayat was operating the property as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) - a property where three or more unrelated tenants share the premises.

The requested information would have enabled the council to determine whether the house should have been licensed as an HMO under the Housing Act.

Mr Hayat pleaded not guilty at an earlier hearing, on April 17, but at a trial, the court heard that the council had correctly served the section 235 notice on Mr Hayat.

Mr Hayat told the court he had not received the notice.

He was convicted of failing to comply with the notice, fined £500 and ordered to pay £300 costs.

Mr Hayat's manager, Lucasz Baczkowski, 31, of West Street, Banbury, pleaded guilty on April 17 to failing to comply with a notice served under section 235 of the Housing Act 2004 relating to the house in Padbury Drive, Banbury.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge, and was also ordered to pay costs of £100.