Two landlords who rented out their two-bedroom flat in Tower Hamlets to as many as 22 people have pleaded guilty to nine offences under the Housing Act 2004.
Tenant Mizanur Rahman, 41, died in a fire at the flat in Shadwell on 5th March 2023, caused by a faulty lithium-ion e-bike battery which was charging at the time.
His death sparked an investigation by Tower Hamlets Council into landlords Sofina Begum, 50, and Aminur Rahman, 53, who owned the fourth-floor flat in Maddocks House.
The husband and wife appeared at Thames Magistrates Court on Tuesday 28th November and pleaded guilty to a total of nine offences.
The council asked the court to commit the pair to Crown Court with a view to obtaining a confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.
Raj Mistry, interim corporate director of communities at Tower Hamlets Council, said: “Our thoughts and prayers are again with Mizanur Rahman’s family and friends.
“His tragic death and the appalling overcrowded conditions where he lived shocked us all.
“Today’s court case sends the message that we will not tolerate landlords who risk the lives of our residents in our borough.
“We will act against landlords like Sofina Begum and Aminur Rahman, who put money over the safety and welfare of their tenants.”
