[2023] UKUT 118 (LC)

Under Chapter 2 of Part 2 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016 a local housing authority may apply to the First-tier Tribunal for a “banning order” against a residential landlord or a property agent or manager who has been convicted of a “banning order offence”. The effect of a banning order is to prohibit that person from letting housing or engaging in letting agency or property management work in England. Banning order offences include certain offences in connection with the licensing and management of houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

On 16 August 2022 the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) (the FTT) made a banning order against the appellant, Naomi Knapp, banning her from letting housing or engaging in letting agency or property management work for a period of 5 years.

With the permission of the FTT, the appellant now appeals against the banning order. This is the first occasion on which this Tribunal has considered such an appeal.

At the hearing of the appeal the appellant was represented by Mr Charles Auld, and the respondent by Mr Riccardo Calzavara. I thank them both for their submissions.