An investigation by West Northamptonshire Council has resulted in four landlords being barred for life from being the landlord of private rented accommodation or acting as a letting agent.

The Council’s Private Sector Housing Team, led by Christopher Stopford, uncovered a rent-to-rent scheme where the offenders leased properties and illegally sublet them as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) without licences.

Serious safety and maintenance issues

The homes were in poor condition, with serious safety and maintenance issues, including a lack of fire safety measures and means of escape. The team also found inadequate maintenance of living spaces and communal areas, water supply and drainage issues and a lack of waste disposal facilities. And when the landlords were asked to provide the required documentation, they failed to do so.

The Council therefore took the decision to take the four landlords to Court.

Dimitrii Viconschi of Salisbury Street, Northampton; Karlis Cernihs of Wycliffe Road, Northampton; Vadims Oblivoks of Selwyn Road, London; and Aleksejs Cugurovs of Stanley Street, Northampton had all previously been prosecuted for operating unlicensed and non-compliant Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), were found guilty by the First Tier Tribunal and the banning order was issued.

This outcome sends a clear message that we will not tolerate landlords who put profit before people.”

It was granted under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 and means that for the rest of their lives, the four will no longer be able to act as landlords or have any involvement in the managing or letting of rented accommodation anywhere in England.

Cllr Charlie Hastie, Cabinet Member for Housing, says: “This outcome sends a clear message that we will not tolerate landlords who put profit before people.

“We are committed to protecting tenants and ensuring that all rental properties meet the legal standards for safety and quality.”