A letting agent, who also operates as a landlord in the Leamington Spa area, has been given a banning order for multiple failings and a total disregard for safety rules.

The banning order, which will take effect from tomorrow, bans Grzegorz Surminski from letting property or engaging in letting agency or property management work across the country for a period of three years. This is the first ever banning order made in favour of Warwick District Council and was issued by the First Tier Tribunal Property Chamber.

The Tribunal heard that council officers had inspected 22 St Brides Close, Leamington Spa in 2022 and found it had been sub-let by Surminski as a house in multiple occupation (HMO) in eight bedsits. The property was found to be totally deficient in fire precautions, was overcrowded and in serious disrepair. The HMO required an HMO licence, but no such application had been made.

Surminski was prosecuted at Coventry Magistrates Court in September 2022 for failing to licence the HMO, failing to comply with an Improvement Notice, breaches of the HMO Management Regulations and failure to comply with a Requisition for Information notice. He was fined £31,000.

The Tribunal heard that Warwick District Council’s Private Sector Housing team had been concerned for some time about the poor letting practices of Mr Surminski, who had also been operating as Leamington Rooms Limited. Officers had also investigated cases of illegal eviction, but the tenants often felt intimidated and were not prepared to give evidence in court.

Cllr Paul Wightman, portfolio holder for housing services, said: “I am delighted that Warwick District Council has managed to secure its first banning order. This clearly sends a strong message to private landlords and others engaged in letting property that the Council will not tolerate those who ignore their legal responsibilities and show a blatant disregard for the health, safety, and welfare of their tenants.”