Landlords face fines after a fire in their overcrowded flat led to a tenant’s death. Investigation ongoing.
The fire happened in Shadwell, east London, in March 2023. Mizanur Rahman, 41, died from smoke inhalation caused by a faulty e-bike battery.
A couple, Sofina Begum, 52, and Aminur Rahman, 55, rented the flat and now face fines for housing offences. These landlords received about £90 weekly from tenants, potentially earning £9,000 a month. They are not related to Mizanur.
Eighteen beds, including bunk beds, filled the flat, and some tenants slept on the kitchen floor. The court heard tenants couldn’t use the flat for mail.
The landlords didn’t do inspections, lacked a gas certificate, and failed to show needed documents. Rahman claimed he only rented to two people and was ignorant of the other tenants.
One tenant said he paid Rahman rent, but Rahman then claimed he didn’t speak English. Begum pleaded guilty to six offences, including unlicensed occupation and failing to meet license rules. Rahman admitted three similar offences.
The judge said sentencing focuses on housing offences, separate from the fire and death. The couple blamed a “rogue manager,” but prosecutors say Rahman is the manager.
The couple’s lawyer said they knew too many people lived there, but not the exact number. He said they failed, but not deliberately. The court bailed them until sentencing on March 6. The fire investigation continues, and a civil case was already filed.