Landlord who ignored selective licensing scheme banned from operating

Kamran Adil of Halterburn Close, Gosforth, had been convicted for a series of offences under the Housing Act 2004, which resulted in fines of around £63,000.

Following the most recent conviction in December 2024, the council applied for a two-year banning order against the landlord under s.15(1) of the Housing and Planning Act 2016.

The application was not opposed by the landlord, who was said to have not engaged in proceedings.

The tribunal considered a series of prosecutions and enforcement actions brought against the landlord as part of its decision.

These included one prohibition order, a conviction for failing to license eight separate properties, a conviction for failing to provide an electrical installation condition report, and ten improvement notices served against him between March and December 2023.

Of the ten notices, one was revoked because all works were completed, six were suspended because all tenants vacated, and three were not complied with.

The tribunal decision also highlighted a December 2024 conviction for a further six offences under s.95(1) of the 2004 Act, for failing to hold a required licence for a property.

In considering the six convictions, Tribunal Judge Brown noted that the magistrates imposed fines that each exceeded £2,500, “meaning the magistrates felt it appropriate to impose the most serious sentence they could for each offence".

He added: "The magistrates considered it appropriate to impose all six financial penalties consecutively to reflect the totality of the offending.

“Therefore, the Tribunal found that the magistrates' court considered the Respondent had committed six serious offences."

The tribunal concluded that the landlord had "persistently failed to comply with statutory requirements for housing management".

The decision notice said: "In the circumstances of his failure to engage in these proceedings we found that the serious sanction of a banning order is required to deter reoffending and ensure statutory and regulatory compliance and that it is a just and proportionate punishment, taking in to account the need also to deter others from similar behaviour.

"Although the Respondent has disposed of some of his portfolio of residential properties, the fact that he retains ownership of others, some continuing to be occupied at the date of the hearing, we found that a banning order also would be a means to improve the condition of the properties for their occupants."

The tribunal determined a banning order was justified in light of the "extreme seriousness of the offences". The banning order expires in March 2027.

Cllr Joe Quinn, Durham's Cabinet member for planning, investments and assets, said: "Applying for a banning order was not a decision we took lightly but it reflects just how serious Kamran Adil's offences are.

“We hope this serves as a stark warning to other landlords and letting agents of what can happen if they fail to manage their properties to the standards required. And while this is a last resort, we won't hesitate to take such action again if needed.”

Adam Carey