‘Rogue landlord’ branded UK’s worst vows revenge after council bans him

A "rogue landlord" banned from renting out properties for a decade by his local council is plotting his revenge and claims he's got "the upper hand."

Nilendu Das, 55, was once locked up for harassing tenants and was this week accused of a "long history of operating and managing extremely poor quality housing" resulting in thousands of pounds worth of fines. The landlord, who owns a number of properties in the Crookes area Sheffield, South Yorkshire, has also been added to the Rogue Landlord Database for a decade, the longest letting ban in UK history.

But he says he's "soft" and "not as bad as they say".

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The Indian restaurant owner was handed a 10-year ban on letting out properties after city council officials at Sheffield City Council took him to court but despite this he claims he's being painted out to be "rogue" when he's not.

Hitting back at the ban, he said tenants "just love me" and claims they think he was "a good leader" and "not as bad as [the council] say". He went on to accuse the city council of renting out dangerous accommodation itself, saying: "They rent out flats that are in 'a dangerous condition'."

Earlier this year, the city council was found to have tenants at risk due to failures to carry out gas safety checks in hundreds of homes. The authority reported itself to the regulator in November, confirming more than 800 safety checks were overdue.

While putting the boot in on the council, Das also insisted it was problem tenants that trashed his houses – that it wasn't his fault. He said: "I've had druggies and beggars – I've had crap living in my house. They have damaged it, ruined it and all sorts of things yet I'm getting the blame for it. It's not just me, other landlords have the same problem.

"But the tenants all love me as a landlord and said I'm the best – but the council have a different mind. Look how poorly the tenants are living in council flats compared to my properties.

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"I've always got the upper hand but I don't want to tell the council that. I can still get everything I want but it's not right." The ban comes after Das was convicted of putting tenants at serious harm from fire and exposing them to substandard and dangerous conditions in their homes.

He was ordered to pay over £7,000 in court costs and fines for a list of housing offences as well as health and safety offences at his restaurant. "People are saying that I'm now famous," he said. "They are also saying I'm rogue, but now it's time to show that I'm rogue and put my foot down".

Cllr Douglas Johnson, chair of Sheffield City Council’s housing committee, said Das' properties were some of the most dangerous properties ever seen by the council.

He said: "The length of Nilendu Das’ banning order reflects the seriousness of his actions and his flagrant disregard for fire safety and the safety of his tenants. We are very happy to see his name on the Rogue Landlord Database.

"Mr Das has a long history of operating and managing extremely poor quality housing and has been prosecuted numerous times by the council.

"This latest prosecution has come as a result of Mr Das’ continuation of the most severe housing offences. His properties were some of the most dangerous properties ever seen by the council’s enforcement staff."

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