A Sefton landlord has been ordered to repay more than £22,000 in housing benefits following legal action by Sefton Council. Robert Edwards, who lets several properties in the borough, must repay £22,477.02 in housing benefits he received while the properties were rented but not licensed.
Background of the case
The repayment order follows the council's earlier successful prosecution of Edwards, who failed to license privately rented properties within a designated selective licensing area. In April 2025, Edwards pleaded guilty at the magistrates court to five offences of operating rented properties without the required licences. He was fined a total of £13,037.86, including fines, a victim surcharge, and prosecution costs.
Tribunal decision
The council then applied to the First-tier Tribunal for Rent Repayment Orders in relation to four of the properties involved in the prosecution. On July 3, 2026, the tribunal granted the applications and ordered the landlord to repay the total of £22,477.02 in housing benefits.
Cllr Phil Hart, cabinet member for housing and highways, said: “This latest result shows once again that Sefton Council is willing to take action where landlords do not comply with their legal responsibilities. Most landlords in Sefton provide good quality accommodation and work with us to meet the required standards. However, where landlords fail to follow the law, we will not hesitate to use the powers available to us.”
Council licensing schemes
The council’s selective and additional (HMO) licensing schemes help it to deal with poor management and hazards faced by tenants in the borough. Aims include improving standards in the private rented sector by making sure that landlords meet their legal responsibilities, and providing safe, well-managed homes for people. The council’s licensing schemes cover nearly 4,000 private rented properties in the borough.
Cllr Hart added: “Once again, this case sends a clear message that failing to comply can have significant financial consequences.”
