It's not just landlords who can be fined heavily - an estate agency now faces paying a �35,000 penalty for failing to licence three properties in the town of Edmonton in London.

Enfield Council's licensing and enforcement work officers investigated Green House Estate Agents Ltd (pictured) for letting the properties without a licence and discovered disrepair at all three, including fire safety deficiencies, damp and a general lack of management.

The Silver Street-based agency also failed to provide information to the council. Its listing on Companies House shows filing of key information including its latest accounts is overdue, and it faces being struck off.

All three properties were required to be licensed under the council's selective licensing scheme that operates in 14 areas of the borough.

The firm was also ordered to pay costs totalling �2,348 at Highbury Corner Magistrates Court, and a surcharge of �2,000 for each offence.

Law-abiding

Cabinet member for licensing, planning & regulatory services, councillor Susan Erbil, says: 'There are many law-abiding landlords in the private rented sector in the borough, and the council is here to help and advise them to ensure their properties reach the required standards and are properly licensed.'�

She adds: 'Unfortunately, there are also landlords who break the law by not obtaining the legally required licence to let their properties. The council's successful prosecution of Green House Estates should be wake-up call to all unscrupulous landlords who do not comply with the law.'�