London council secures banning order against rogue landlord

Newham Council has won a landmark case against convicted rogue landlord Mr Jahangir Hussain that bans him from taking part in any letting agency in England after a court dismissed his appeal against a Banning Order.

The ban means that Hussain is banned from renting any properties in Newham and the rest of England for three years.

SEVEN OFFENCES

Hussain had been convicted of seven offences under the Housing Act 2004 after he originally failed to license his property in Forest Gate in October 2021, which he used as a house in multiple occupancy (HMO). As well as breaching six other HMO Management Regulations, he received a fine of £10,000 plus the Council legal costs.

In February 2023, the Council successfully applied for a Banning Order against the landlord. Despite an appeal the Council won the case on 6 December 2023 and the Banning Order preventing Mr Hussain from renting any properties in England will now be in place for three years starting from 16 August 2023.

Councillor Shaban Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, says: “This Banning Order is a first for Newham and a landmark case in our campaign against rogue landlord and to protect the rights of Newham residents living in the private rented sector.

ROGUE LANDLORDS

“We mean what we say, when tackling the scourge of rogue landlords who think they are above the law.”

Rokhsana Fiaz OBE, Mayor of Newham, adds: “Mr Hussain has shown flagrant disregard of both housing and planning legislation, to the detriment of both his tenants and residents of the borough.

“This major milestone sends a message loud and clear that rogue landlords have no place in Newham. It’s all part of our campaign to protect renters rights, including calling for an end to no-fault evictions and introducing rent caps.”

Hussain, who rents out several properties in Newham, Tower Hamlets and Haringey will be unable to do so for three years.

LETTING AGENCY

The Banning Order also prevents him from letting houses in England, engaging in English letting agency and property management work and being involved in any way in any corporate body that carries out those activities.

As well as obtaining the Banning Order, Newham’s Planning Enforcement Team secured two convictions in the Magistrates Court against Hussain for breaching planning enforcement notices at both his properties within Newham.

The notices related to the construction of extensions at those properties without the required planning permission. The cases have now been committed to the Crown Court under section 70 of the Proceeds of Crime Act, for consideration of confiscation and appropriate sentencing for the offences.