Organized crime groups are exploiting the rental property market by using sophisticated fake identity documents to secure tenancies and operate brothels. A BBC Panorama investigation, 'There's a Gangster in My Flat,' uncovered how these criminal networks are able to pass checks, even with reputable letting agencies, by presenting forged passports and references.
One property developer, Craig Shepheard, discovered his apartment in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, was being used as a pop-up brothel by a Brazilian organized gang. After initially believing the tenant was a courier, Shepheard became suspicious due to neighbor complaints about late-night visitors and the tenant's unusual behavior, such as blacking out windows. When the rental payments stopped, he investigated further, finding what he described as "sexual paraphernalia."
Following his report to the police, Shepheard began filming men entering the property. During a subsequent inspection, he found women inside who admitted to being sex workers paying approximately £400 each per week for the room. The women were part of a prostitution ring that moved individuals between rented properties across England.
Authorities later informed Shepheard that the forged passport used by the tenant was of a high quality, described by immigration officials as one of the best they had encountered. The tenant's true identity was never uncovered, and the sex workers disappeared.
Under current housing law, landlords often face significant hurdles in evicting tenants involved in criminal activities. Shepheard's solicitor eventually managed to persuade the tenant to vacate the property, but not before Shepheard incurred four and a half months of unpaid rent and a £4,500 repair bill.
Shepheard stated that despite following correct procedures and using a professional letting agency, the process of reclaiming his property and addressing the damage was excessively difficult. He plans to sell the apartment due to the considerable hassle involved.
These criminal networks often avoid prosecution, leaving landlords to pursue legal action through civil courts. The BBC's investigation highlights the challenges landlords face when their properties are infiltrated by organized crime.
The investigation featured journalist Hazel Martin, who examined the methods used by these gangs.
The BBC Panorama episode 'There's A Gangster in My Flat' is available on BBC iPlayer.