CONVICTED! That’s what has happened to five individuals and two companies who had been letting out flats – using a number of illegal and unfair practices. And it happened after a tireless investigation by Tower Hamlets Council trading standards officers.

The firms preyed on vulnerable people: young people, students and overseas workers. These clients were either desperate for accommodation or not familiar with the lettings industry in the UK: or both.

The firms tempting adverts on lettings websites to haul in potential clients: then they said the advertised properties had already gone, and pushed the clients into accepting lower grade accommodation at higher prices. They often did not refund tenants’ deposits. They took in tenants on the basis of a “licence to occupy” rather than a conventional tenancy agreement, which left tenants with few rights.

As reports of these activities came in to the Council, officers began investigating. At first, the companies would wait until the authorities were getting close – and then they would close down the company and start a new one. However, officers were able to establish that the same individuals were behind the string of companies – and most of them operated from one common address: 220 Bow Common Lane.

Tower Hamlets Council prosecuted the following people. The cases were heard at Southwark Crown Court, in a trial that lasted six months. Those found guilty will return to Court in early December for sentencing.

•Mohammed Moynul Haque
Guilty on four counts of fraudulent trading and two breaches of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.
Operated several of the companies used in the fraudulent trading.
Evidence showed substantial sums of money moving between his personal accounts and company accounts.

•Fatima Begum
Former wife of Md Moynul Haue, guilty on one count of fraudulent trading.
A director of three companies linked with the frauds.

•Gonzalo Gomez Egea
Guilty on two counts of fraudulent trading. Manager of two of the businesses which conducted the fraudulent trading.

•Razaur Rahman Oli
He, and his company Barrons London Ltd, convicted of fraudulent trading and an offence under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 respectively.

•Nozir Ahmed
He and his company Roomshare Ltd, were convicted of two offences under the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008.

Executive Mayor Lutfur Rahman promised to crack down on rogue landlords in his 2022 Manifesto. He said, “I want to extend a sincere thank you to the complainants for bravely telling their stories to the court about how these companies impacted their lives. I’m grateful to National Trading Standards for their support, our barristers for their excellent work in prosecuting this case, and our excellent trading standards officers who worked tirelessly to bring this case to a successful conclusion.”

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