Coventry bans first rogue landlord



Coventry has banned a landlord from letting a property for 15 months for a string of housing offences.

Coventry council said Carmelo Borsellino, of Cheveral Avenue, has a long history of poor property management.

He was most recently convicted on 14 July 2021 for fire safety breaches.

Borsellino pleaded guilty and was fined £1,350, while he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £135.

Councillor David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: “Rogue landlords and agents have no place in Coventry and the Council will use all its powers available to stop these criminals from operating in Coventry”.

In reaching their decision the Tribunal stated, that “they were unimpressed with Mr Borsellino’s attempts to avoid or diminish the seriousness of having been convicted in relation to fire safety breaches”.

Breaching the order could result in a 51-week prison sentence, court fine or financial penalty of up to £30,000.

He has also been added to the national rogue landlord database.

Adrian Chowns, property licensing and housing enforcement manager for the city, said: “Offences of this nature are very serious and have the potential to undermine Coventry City Council’s work to ensure that rented housing within its locality is safe and suitable for tenants.

“The use of banning orders is just one of the many tools the Council is adopting to tackle rogue landlords and deter them from flouting their responsibilities.”

Comments 1

  1. So where are all these rogue landlords the housing charities shout about. How many years have Coventry Council had to seek out and list So called “Rogue landlords?”
    “Councillor David Welsh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: “Rogue landlords and agents have no place in Coventry and the Council will use all its powers available to stop these criminals from operating in Coventry”.
    Standard poltical spin - So congratulations on finally succeeding in catching and prosecuting one! if we believe what Shelter and Councils tell us I would have expected hundreds to be listed by now NOT JUST ONE. Let me state I do not condone ROGUE Landlords. Nor do I condone Rogue people who make false claims for their own political ends, be they councils, charities or politicians. What do reader’s think?

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