Rogue London Landlord Jailed for Exploiting Tenants

Exploiting Tenants on a Massive Scale

Between 2017 and 2021, Haque and his group posted around 18,000 deceptive adverts for properties across Tower Hamlets, often featuring high-quality rooms that were not actually available. Victims, many of whom were foreign workers or students unfamiliar with the London rental market, were pressured into paying deposits upfront, only to find themselves stuck in poor-quality accommodation with no way out.

Some tenants were left living in squalid conditions, facing threats if they tried to leave, while others were evicted without notice—sometimes returning home to find their possessions removed and locks changed.

Psychological and Financial Toll on Victims

Many renters reported severe financial distress and mental health struggles as a result of their experiences. Some were left homeless overnight, forced to seek refuge in hostels. Others described feeling "violated" and "humiliated" by the aggressive tactics used to secure their money.

A Landmark Case in Rental Fraud

Trading standards officers described the case as one of the most complex and large-scale investigations of its kind, with over 200 known victims—but experts believe the true number could be far higher. The companies exploited legal loopholes, using misleading "licence-to-occupy" agreements rather than proper tenancy contracts, allowing them to evict tenants without due process.

The conviction of Haque and his associates sends a strong message to rogue landlords across the capital. Authorities have vowed to continue cracking down on unethical practices in the rental sector to protect tenants from similar exploitation.