Two private landlords have been fined more than £90,000 after renting out a two-bedroom flat to as many as 23 people, far exceeding legal occupancy limits.

Tower Hamlets Council prosecuted Sofina Begum, 52, and Aminur Rahman, 55, who owned a fourth-floor flat in Maddocks House. The property was licensed for just three people from two households.

The pair were sentenced on Thursday 6 February 2025 at Snaresbrook Crown Court, following convictions secured in November 2023 at Thames Magistrates’ Court.

Confiscation Orders Issued to Recover Illegal Profits

The council successfully obtained confiscation orders to recover money made from the illegal use of the property.

Sofina Begum was ordered to pay:

• £10,000 in fines
• £2,000 in prosecution costs
• £2,000 victim surcharge
• £78,049 under a confiscation order

Aminur Rahman was ordered to pay:

• £2,000 in fines
• £800 victim surcharge
• £1.01 under a confiscation order

A victim surcharge is a statutory charge imposed by the court, with funds used to support victim services.

Multiple Serious Housing Offences

Both landlords had previously pleaded guilty to a total of nine offences under the Housing Act 2004. These included:

• Allowing severe overcrowding
• Failing to comply with HMO licensing conditions
• Not carrying out required property inspections
• Lacking a valid gas safety certificate
• Failing to provide requested documentation to the council

Fatal Fire Triggered Enforcement Action

Tenant Mizanur Rahman, aged 41, died in a fire at the flat in Shadwell on 5 March 2023. The fire was caused by a faulty lithium-ion e-bike battery that was charging inside the overcrowded property.

Council Issues Strong Warning to Landlords

The Executive Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, said it was completely unacceptable for landlords to exploit tenants by allowing overcrowding and ignoring safety regulations.

He described the case as a clear example of landlords putting lives at risk for profit and said the council would continue to pursue criminal landlords through the courts. He also called for national action to strengthen protections for renters.

Wider Crackdown on Rogue Landlords

Tower Hamlets Council says tackling rogue landlords is a priority.

In October 2023, the council approved plans to renew and expand its additional licensing scheme for houses in multiple occupation, extending it to previously excluded areas including Weavers, Whitechapel, and Spitalfields and Banglatown. The new licensing rules came into force on 1 April 2024 and will run for five years.

The council has also supported 299 renters living in unlicensed properties to reclaim £1,416,344 through rent repayment orders.

Following the fatal fire, Tower Hamlets Council and the London Fire Brigade launched the #ChargeSafe campaign to raise awareness of the dangers posed by unsafe e-bike and e-scooter batteries. Since the campaign began, 91 unsafe imported lithium batteries have been identified and destroyed in local shops.

AngelMoves Compliance Insight

This case shows the full cost of non-compliance — financially, legally, and tragically, in human life.

AngelMoves focuses on property compliance education to help landlords and agents understand not just what the rules are, but how enforcement now works in practice. Overcrowding, missing certificates, poor documentation, and ignored licensing conditions are no longer treated as minor breaches. They are treated as evidence of risk.

AngelMoves helps landlords understand how to stay compliant by educating them on licensing requirements, inspection obligations, safety documentation, and lawful occupancy limits. This includes guidance on preparing compliant records, responding correctly to council requests, and ensuring property advertisements and tenancy arrangements align with current regulations.

In today’s enforcement climate, ignorance, shortcuts, or informal arrangements can quickly escalate into criminal prosecution, confiscation of income, and permanent damage to a landlord’s ability to operate. Compliance is no longer optional or reactive, it must be deliberate, documented, and continuous.

Source: https://www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/News_events/2025/March/Rogue-landlords-hit-with-hefty-fines.aspx