Two landlords have been fined and ordered to pay tens of thousands of pounds following a fatal fire in an overcrowded two-bedroom flat they illegally rented out to 22 people, resulting in the tragic death of a tenant.
Sofina Begum, 52, and Aminur Rahman, 55, were prosecuted by Tower Hamlets Council after a fire broke out in their fourth-floor flat at Maddocks House, Shadwell, on 5 March 2023, claiming the life of 41-year-old Mizanur Rahman.
The blaze was caused by a faulty lithium-ion e-bike battery, which had been charging at the time of the incident. The flat was legally licensed for only three people from two households, yet more than seven times that number were residing in the property.
Landlords Convicted of Multiple Offences
Both Begum and Rahman pleaded guilty to nine charges under the Housing Act 2004, including:
- Allowing severe overcrowding
- Failing to comply with licensing conditions
- Not conducting required safety inspections
- Lacking a valid gas safety certificate
- Failing to provide essential documentation to the council
The pair were sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court following earlier convictions at Thames Magistrates’ Court in November 2023.
Significant Fines and Confiscation Orders Imposed
As part of the sentencing:
- Sofina Begum was ordered to pay:
- A £10,000 fine
- £2,000 in prosecution costs
- A £2,000 victim surcharge
- A £78,049 confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act
- Aminur Rahman was ordered to pay:
- A £2,000 fine
- An £800 victim surcharge
- A £1.01 confiscation order
Council Condemns Dangerous Practices
Tower Hamlets Executive Mayor, Lutfur Rahman, strongly condemned the landlords’ actions, calling them a “clear example of profit over people’s lives.”
“It is completely unacceptable that some landlords continue to exploit tenants by allowing overcrowding, flouting essential safety regulations, and putting people’s lives at risk.
Our thoughts and prayers remain with the family and friends of Mizanur Rahman, who tragically lost his life in the fire, caused by a faulty e-bike battery at Maddocks House.”
“We are clamping down on rogue landlords who operate in our borough. This prosecution and the court’s decision send a clear message — we will not tolerate criminal landlords who endanger lives for profit.”
A Tragic Warning
The case has also renewed warnings about the dangers of lithium-ion battery fires, particularly those used in e-bikes and e-scooters. Fire services and local authorities continue to urge caution when charging such devices, especially in overcrowded or unsafe housing conditions.
Tower Hamlets Council said it would continue its proactive enforcement efforts, aiming to protect vulnerable tenants and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Anyone concerned about unsafe or overcrowded housing is encouraged to report it via the council’s private housing enforcement team.
