Four landlords have been fined a total of almost £20,000 thanks to new rules to curb rogue landlords. The four were prosecuted by council bosses for not complying with new licensing regulations which were introduced within parts of Blackburn and Darwen.

David Ashcroft was fined £10,000 for breaches of the regulations including not connecting a houses boiler to the electricity supply, which meant the property had no hot water.

Ashcroft was also found guilty at the Blackburn Magistrates Court for failing to apply for a licence to let his properties and for not complying with environmental regulations.

Three landlords in the Infirmary area of Blackburn were also fined by magistrates.

Shraz Ashraf, and Khalid Ali, were both fined £2,000 for not having property licenses and Shahid Ullah, was handed a £4,000 fine for not having licenses for his properties, with costs also being awarded against all three defendents.

Lee Wright, the housing standards manager for Blackburn & Darwen Council said: "We want to work with landlords and local communities to improve the quality of life for residents. However we want all our landlords to take their responsibilities seriously and to take a more responsible role towards the management of their properties."

The cases were brought under the selective licensing scheme, which was piloted in central Darwen and Infirmary.

The controversial scheme requires all private landlords in specifically designated local areas in England & Wales to apply for a license to let their property and to prove that they are fit and proper persons to have tenants living in their properties.