North Ayrshire Licensing committee have refused to register a Largs based landlord who allegedly failed to take action against an anti-social tenant within the property he owned.

Regular complaints had been made to North Ayrshire Police and NAC Social Services in relation to a flat in Nelson Street, Largs. We recently reported that great gran,Patricia Ritchie, 81, who lives in Largs, had been ‘put through hell’ by her neighbour, Ms Alicia Thompson, 24, after she moved in with 10 Staffordshire bull terriers last year.

Although Ms Thomson claimed to the media last month that she was a responsible dog owner, and said she was distressed at having to hand the pups back, Patricia Ritchie had said that the stench from the dogs, and the noise, had been ‘unbearable’, and there had been frequent complaints made about the situation when had gone on unheeded.

Animal protection officers were forced to step in, and removed five of the 13 week old pups from Ms Thomson’s property last month.

And consequently, North Ayrshire Licensing Committee have enforced their registration procedures, and found thad Neil Ingram, Irvine Road, Largs, was unable to fulfill the strict criteria, as he was judged not a fit and proper person to act as a landlord.

The licensing committee considered the application and information from council officers, relevant agences and the applicant.

The committee unanimously agreed to refuse to enter the applicant in the Register; and to serve a rent penalty notice. Mr Ingram has 21 days in which to appeal the notice.

The council’s Licensing Committee is responsible for overseeing the registration of private landlords and has powers to ensure that those who are not ‘fit and proper’ face serious penalties.

If the Committee decides a landlord is not ‘fit and proper’ to act as a landlord, it can refuse or remove their Registration and serve a Rent Penalty Notice - both of which were served on Mr Ingram.

This means the Landlord cannot charge the tenant rent or receive housing benefit from the council.

Largs Councillor Tom Marshall, Depute Chair of the Licensing Committee, said: “Anti-social behaviour can be extremely stressful for neighbours, whether it involves loud music being played in the middle of the night, people visiting at night or disposing of waste in common grounds such as closes and shared gardens.” Leasing substandard housing and failing to carry out essential repairs can also result in action.

In order to legally operate as a landlord, a property owner must be officially registered with the Council. The Register also allows tenants and neighbours to identify the property owner and contact them where necessary.

Landlords can register online while the public can find out whether a landlord is registered by calling 01294 324305 or visiting www.landlordregistrationscotland.gov.uk.

The Licensing Committee has vowed to crackdown on issues where there is clear evidence to back complaints.

Councillor Marshall added: “Tenants are clearly responsible for their own behaviour. However, there is also an onus on landlords to take action where necessary.

“Often damage and disrepair can extend into neighbouring properties and cause problems for others.

“The Council has a number of options when it comes to enforcing legislation and are committed to making use of these where appropriate.” Cllr. Marshall, who personally visited the property believed that the conditions were ‘intolerable’, and has been told that the property was ‘below tolerable standard’ by the council’s housing department.

The Conservative councillor was praised by Patricia Ritchie’s family in relation to his investagative work behind the issue.

Daughter Pauline Whitton said that Cllr Marshall ‘had been a nine carat gold star’ and praised his role in moving the situation forward.