Three landlords have been banned from operating in England’s private rented sector after a tribunal found serious and repeated housing offences at an overcrowded property in Poplar.

The offenders were property management company R&G Agent Ltd and its directors, Rafael Mendes Torres and Evandro dos Santos Gomes. The banning orders, says Tower Hamlets Council, will last three years and are reserved for the most serious housing offences.

The property in Kemps Drive, E14, was operated as an unlicensed HMO between January 2022 and December 2023.

The tribunal heard the two-bedroom flat had been converted into as many as five bedrooms, with up to six tenants living there.

Infestations

Council investigators discovered mice, cockroach and bed bug infestations at the property, as well as faulty electrics, poor maintenance and a lack of basic fire safety measures, including fire doors and fire extinguishers.

Deposits had not been protected, nor were tenants provided with written tenancy agreements. One tenant told investigators that complaints about conditions resulted in a rent increase rather than repairs.

The tribunal ruled the landlords had shown a “dangerous” lack of knowledge of their legal responsibilities and failed to take meaningful steps to improve standards. It also concluded they had attempted to mislead both tenants and the council.

We will not tolerate rogue landlords in Tower Hamlets, who put tenants at risk.”

R&G Agent Ltd had previously been convicted of the same offence at another property, which the tribunal said demonstrated a pattern of non-compliance.

Lutfur Rahman, Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “This outcome sends a clear message that we will not tolerate rogue landlords in Tower Hamlets, who put tenants at risk.

“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.”