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Four 'profit before people' landlords banned for life

banning order landlords

Four landlords have been handed lifetime bans for renting out unlicensed and unsafe HMOs as part of an illegal rent-to-rent scheme.

Romanian Dimitrii Viconschi of Salisbury Street and Latvian Karlis Cernihs of Wycliffe Road both based in Northampton as well as Vadims Oblivoks of Selwyn Road, London; and Latvian Aleksejs Cugurovs of Stanley Street, Northampton, have been added to the database of rogue landlords and won’t be able to act as landlords or have any involvement in the managing or letting of rented accommodation in England.  

West Northamptonshire Council obtained the banning orders, barring them for life after they were prosecuted for serious housing breaches.

The authority’s private sector housing team uncovered a rent-to-rent scheme where the men had leased properties and illegally sublet them as HMOs without licences.

The homes were in poor condition, with serious safety and maintenance issues that posed serious risks to tenants’ health and safety. This included a lack of fire safety measures and means of escape, inadequate maintenance of living spaces and communal areas, failure to maintain water supply and drainage, an absence of waste disposal facilities, and failure to provide the required documentation.

The decision was handed down by the First Tier Property Tribunal after the four were prosecuted in 2024 for operating unlicensed and non-compliant HMOs across Northampton.  

Rare order

The council says that lifetime banning orders are rare and demonstrate its commitment to protecting tenants and improving housing standards.

“This outcome sends a clear message that we will not tolerate landlords who put profit before people,” adds councillor Charlie Hastie (pictured), cabinet member for housing. “We are committed to protecting tenants and ensuring that all rental properties meet the legal standards for safety and quality.”

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