A letting agency and its two directors have received a three-year ban from operating in the private rented sector, effective from 21 August. The First-tier Tribunal imposed the banning orders on R&G Agent Ltd, along with directors Rafael Mendes Torres and Evandro dos Santos Gomes, following enforcement action by Tower Hamlets Council. The ruling prevents the company and its directors from letting or managing rental properties, or acting as letting agents, anywhere in England.
The action stems from serious housing offences linked to an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) located on Kemps Drive, Poplar, E14. Investigations by Tower Hamlets Council revealed that the property, originally a two-bedroom flat, had been illegally converted into as many as five bedrooms. This drastic alteration resulted in severe overcrowding and substandard living conditions for the tenants residing there between January 2022 and December 2023.
Up to six tenants were found to be living in the property, enduring what were described as unsafe and unacceptable conditions. Issues reported included widespread pest infestations involving mice, cockroaches, and bed bugs. Further concerns highlighted faulty electrics, poor general maintenance, and a critical lack of basic fire safety measures, such as proper fire doors and extinguishers. Tenants also faced issues with unprotected tenancy deposits and the absence of written tenancy agreements, a fundamental requirement for private rentals.
Adding to the grievances, one tenant reported that their complaints about the deteriorating conditions were met not with repairs, but with a rent increase. The Tribunal's decision was also influenced by the discovery that the company had a prior conviction for the same offence at a different property, indicating a pattern of non-compliance with housing regulations. This history underscored the Tribunal's finding that the landlords displayed a "dangerous" lack of understanding regarding their legal responsibilities and had failed to make meaningful improvements.
The Tribunal concluded that the property had been poorly managed and that the landlords had actively attempted to mislead both their tenants and the local council. Lutfur Rahman, the Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, emphasised the council's commitment to tackling rogue landlords, stating that "Every resident deserves a safe, secure and well-managed home," and that robust enforcement action would continue against those who fail to meet their legal obligations.