Regulation & Law

First ever banning order in London obtained against criminal landlord

Nigel Lewis

The first ever rogue landlord banning order in London has been obtained against 42-year-old Cesar De Sousa Melo.

This banning order follows multiple investigations by Camden Council into Melo’s activities, which were brought to the attention of officers following a rogue landlord referral received in May 2018 via the Greater London Authority and Mayor of London website.

Melo, who is believed to be of Brazilian origins, was subsequently found to have broken a host of rules and laws governing rented property at three addresses including illegally subletting one property, dangerous electrical wiring, failing to fit smoke alarms and shoddy partition work.

Multiple breaches

The flats he managed also featured cramped conditions (pictured, above), inadequate fire alarms and overall multiple breaches of the Housing Act 2004.

Tenants staying in the flats all of which were in and around Kings Cross and Euston in Central London were all young or from overseas and paid inflated rents for poor standards of housing.

The banning order begins somewhat curiously in March next year and, if Melo breaches the order, he faces imprisonment for up to 51 weeks or a court fine – or both – or a Civil Financial Penalty of up to £30,000.

Melo has already been convicted and fined £29,000 for offences committed at the three flats following raids on the properties last year.

When the ban starts, Melo is banned from letting any housing in England and engaging in English letting agency work or property management work.

Read more about banning orders.