A letting agency and its two directors have been banned from operating in the private rented sector for three years following enforcement action by Tower Hamlets Council.
The First-tier Tribunal imposed banning orders on R&G Agent Ltd and its directors, Rafael Mendes Torres and Evandro dos Santos Gomes, after finding serious housing offences linked to an unlicensed House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) in Poplar, east London.
The orders, which take effect from 21 August, prevent the company and both directors from letting housing, managing rental properties or acting as letting agents in England.
The case related to a property on Kemps Drive, E14, which was operated as an unlicensed HMO between January 2022 and December 2023. Tower Hamlets Council said investigations found the former two-bedroom flat had been converted into as many as five bedrooms, resulting in overcrowding and poor living conditions for tenants.
Up to six tenants were living in the property, with reports of unsafe and unacceptable conditions, including:
+ Pest infestations involving mice, cockroaches, and bed bugs
+ Faulty electrics and poor maintenance
+ Lack of basic fire safety measures such as fire doors and extinguishers
+ Unprotected tenancy deposits and no written tenancy agreements
One tenant reported that complaints about conditions were not met with repairs, but with a rent increase.
The company had previously been convicted of the same offence at another property, demonstrating a pattern of non-compliance.
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 tenants and the Council.
Executive mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, 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.”
