A local landlord has received a banning order preventing him from letting property for three years, following a tribunal this Decemeber.

Gregorz Surminski was handed the ban after council officers inspected 22 St Brides Close, Sydenham in 2022 and found multiple issues on site.

The property was being sub-let as a house in multi occupation (HMO) in eight bedsits, despite not having a required licence.

The property was found to be totally deficient in fire precautions, was overcrowded and in serious disrepair.

Surminski was prosecuted at Coventry Magistrates Court in September 2022 for failing to licence the HMO, failing to comply with an Improvement Notice, breaches of the HMO Management Regulations and failure to comply with a Requisition for Information notice. He was fined £31,000. 

And now Warwick District Council's private sector housing team has been successful in securing a banning order which will take effect from 19 December 2023.

It bans Surminski from letting property or engaging in letting agency or property management work across the country for three years.

This is the first ever banning order made in favour of the council and was issued by the first tier tribunal property chamber on 5 December. 

The tribunal heard the housing team had been concerned for some time about the poor letting practices of Surminski, who had also been operating as Leamington Rooms Limited - which is registered to a Coventry address according to Companies House.

Officers had also investigated cases of illegal eviction, but the tenants often felt intimidated and were not prepared to give evidence in court. 

Cllr Paul Wightman, portfolio holder for housing services, said: "I am delighted that Warwick District Council has managed to secure its first banning order.

"This clearly sends a strong message to private landlords and others engaged in letting property that the council will not tolerate those who ignore their legal responsibilities and show a blatant disregard for the health, safety, and welfare of their tenants." 

The private sector housing team is asking anyone who becomes aware of Surminski letting property anywhere in England to contact them confidentially by email [email protected] or telephone 01926 456359.