A landlord who repeatedly put vulnerable tenants at risk by ignoring basic housing safety laws has been banned from renting out properties for two years following a landmark tribunal ruling.
Kamran Adil, of Halterburn Close, Gosforth, has been prohibited from operating as a landlord or managing agent after the First-tier Property Tribunal found he had persistently failed to meet statutory housing standards.
The ban makes the council one of the first authorities in the region to successfully secure such an order.
The tribunal heard that Adil failed to licence eight properties covered by the council’s Selective Licensing scheme, which regulates landlords and requires privately rented homes to be properly managed across 103 areas of County Durham. He also repeatedly ignored improvement notices and failed to engage with enforcement officers.
PERSISTENT FAIL
He was prosecuted twice, in 2023 and 2024, and convicted of 14 offences under the Housing Act 2004. Fines, costs and charges against him totalled £63,000.
Following his latest conviction at Peterlee Magistrates’ Court in December 2024, the council issued a notice of intent to seek a banning order. Adil did not respond and took no part in the tribunal process.
In approving the order, Tribunal Judge Brown said Adil had “persistently failed” to meet his legal obligations and added: “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 into account the need also to deter others from similar behaviour.”
COUNCIL CONTROL
Investigators found that although Adil has sold 11 former rental properties, he still owns 15, including two currently occupied homes. The council will take over management of the occupied properties for the duration of the ban.
Cllr Joe Quinn, Cabinet member for planning, investments and assets, says the case demonstrated that the authority would not hesitate to act against rogue operators.
He adds: “Our Selective Licensing scheme exists to ensure accommodation in County Durham is safe and well-managed, and to protect private sector tenants from landlords who ignore their duties.
“It’s about holding criminal landlords to account, while also creating a fairer industry for landlords who care about their tenants and their responsibilities.”
STARK WARNING
And he says: “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.”
