Three rogue landlords have been banned after being found running an illegal HMO in East London.
Tower Hamlets Council prosecuted the trio after finding the property, in Kemps Drive, was illegally operated as an HMO without a licence between January 2022 and December 2023.
It was found that the two-bedroom flat had been converted into five bedrooms, leading to overcrowding and inadequate living conditions.
Six tenants were living at the property and having to deal with pest infestations, faulty electrics, a lack of basic fire safety measures and unprotected deposits with no written tenancy agreements.
One tenant reported that complaints about the conditions were met with a rent increase.
The first-tier tribunal has imposed three-year banning orders on the property management company R&G Agent Ltd, and its directors, Rafael Mendes Torres and Evandro dos Santos Gomes, after serious housing offences.
The company had previously been convicted of the same offence at another property.
The tribunal found that the landlords showed a “dangerous” lack of knowledge of their legal responsibilities and had failed to take meaningful steps to improve standards.
It also concluded that the property had been poorly managed and that the landlords had attempted to mislead both tenants and the council.
“This outcome sends a clear message that we will not tolerate rogue landlords in Tower Hamlets, who put tenants at risk,” said Tower Hamlets executive mayor Lutfur Rahman.
“Every resident deserves a safe, secure and well-managed home, and we will continue to take robust enforcement action against those who fail to meet their legal responsibilities.”
