Millionaire landlord is banned from renting out city homes

A MILLIONAIRE landlord has been banned from renting out four properties in Edinburgh amid allegations that he verbally abused and threatened city council officials and tenants.

Councillors ruled that Mark Fortune, 41, was unfit to hold a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) licence for properties in the Marchmont, Tollcross, and Morningside areas of the city.

Mr Fortune, who is thought to have 39 properties across Scotland including ten in Edinburgh, insists he will fight the ruling and is himself taking legal action against the council.

The company director, who lives in Barnton, was refused an HMO licence for the properties by the council's regulatory committee in August last year, on the grounds that he was not a "fit and proper person".

He launched an court appeal, claiming that he was unaware of the hearing but that has now been dismissed by a sheriff.

Officials will now investigate to ensure that he has stopped leasing the properties as HMOs – a home where three or more unrelated people stay – with the council putting tenants into temporary accommodation if necessary.

A spokeswoman for the city council said: "It was found the council had correctly conducted itself and Mark Fortune had not availed himself of the opportunity to respond, and as such his appeal was refused and costs awarded to the council.

"The council's enforcement team have had serious concern regarding Mark Fortune's behaviour and fitness as a landlord over the last few years."

In a council report, it is claimed that Mr Fortune had been abusive in his dealings with council officers.

The report states: "The applicant has consistently acted in an aggressive, abusive and threatening manner not only in his dealings with council officers, but with tenants of his properties and residents and managing agents of properties neighbouring his."

Mr Fortune, who said he had another four HMO licences pending decision, said today he had not yet been made aware that his appeal was refused and added that he planned to appeal again.

He said: "It's far from over because I will be taking it to the highest court if need be."

A spokeswoman for the council added: "Our first priority is to ensure the safety of residents and the community, and this landlord did not meet the required standards. We will work with residents in his flats to safeguard their wellbeing."