Council obtains 10-year banning order against landlord following “long history of non-compliance”

On 9 January 2026, the First-Tier Tribunal granted the council’s application to ban Anthony Hall, of Ravensworth Road, Birtley, from letting residential properties, carrying out letting agency work, and undertaking property management work for a period of 10 years.

The council applied for the banning order following the landlord’s “long history of non-compliance”.

In September 2025, Hall pleaded guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates Court to offences under the Housing Act 2004 relating to one property in Bensham, and two properties in Birtley.

But the council said he failed to carry out the urgent improvement works needed to make the properties safe.

According to the local authority, tenants were left dealing with “serious hazards” - including damp and mould, unsafe gas appliances, dangerous electrical wiring, and difficulties opening an emergency exit.

The landlord also had a record of earlier housing offences, which resulted in financial penalties.

These included failing to comply with landlord licence conditions in October 2023, and managing a property that legally required a licence but was not licensed in March 2024.

Gateshead Council served a Notice of Intent to seek a banning order on 3 March 2025, but Hall made no representations and “did not engage with the tribunal process”, said the council.

In his decision, First-tier Tribunal Judge L. F. McLean noted: “It is clear from the evidence that the Respondent has a devil-may-care attitude towards compliance with residential landlord and tenant regulations.

“The breaches in question put the health and safety of his tenants at risk and were sufficiently serious that they resulted in criminal convictions and substantial fines. They were preceded by previous criminal breaches of housing licensing requirements which also resulted in financial penalties being imposed.”

He added: “These were not “victimless crimes”. The witness statements of the Respondent’s tenants detail the real-life impact of his persistent breaches of the law – including suffering from damp and mould, unsafe gas appliances and electrical wiring, and difficulties in unlocking an emergency exit from the property.

“The Respondent has not demonstrated the courtesy of appearing before the Tribunal to explain his position; nor has he offered any apology or assurance as to his future conduct or steps that he might take to become a more responsible landlord.”

The tribunal concluded a ten-year ban was justified and proportionate, not only to prevent Hall from managing residential properties in the future, but also to act as a deterrent to other landlords.

Cllr Chris Buckley, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Everyone deserves a safe, decent home, and this case shows just how seriously we take that responsibility. This landlord repeatedly ignored the law and put vulnerable residents at risk. That is completely unacceptable. This banning order protects tenants and sends a very clear warning to others - if you fail to maintain your properties and compromise people's wellbeing, we will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action."

Lottie Winson