Somerset Council has succeeded in taking action against two Yeovil-based landlords for repeatedly breaching housing standards.
David and Joanna Fuller have received Banning Orders, which can be sought in cases where landlords flout their legal obligations and rent out accommodation which is substandard. They are used only for the most serious offenders.
Working closely with lawyers at Taunton law firm Clarke Willmott LLP, the Council applied for the Banning Orders, under section 14 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, when the Fullers repeatedly failed to comply with Council enforcement notices and were repeatedly prosecuted for breaches of housing standards.
The Orders prevent Mr and Mrs Fuller from renting, managing or having any involvement with the properties that they own from 1 September 2025. They cannot employ any business or person associated with them to run these properties or take rent directly from tenants.
Sam Harkness, in the crime and regulatory team at Clarke Willmott, said: “We’re pleased to have assisted Somerset Council with this important case in helping to protect their residents from rogue landlords.
“This case has called for strategic work with the local authority. With patience we have worked over several years and across several properties to exhaust all options. When every avenue was explored to try and achieve better housing standards, we then applied to the Tribunal for a Banning Order.
“Although this is a reasonably rare solution, we had handled several prosecutions and attempted to work with the Fullers with no success, which left the Council with no choice.
“We are pleased to have achieved an outcome that offers better protection to vulnerable tenants.”
In May 2025, the Property Tribunal made a Banning Order for six years from against Mr David Fuller of The Old Court House, Yeovil. A Banning Order was also made against Mrs Joanna Fuller, also of the Old Court House, Yeovil for three years.
In July 2025 an application to appeal the Banning Orders, and permission to appeal further, was refused as having no reasonable prospect of success.
Chris Hall, Executive Director Community, Place & Economy at Somerset Council, said: “We work closely with Somerset landlords and support them to meet their legal obligations. However, we will not shy away from taking strong enforcement action and applying sanctions where they are needed. The council is satisfied with the outcome of these court cases and hopes it sends a strong message to deter other landlords from breaching their duties. The council’s private sector housing team is working hard every day to ensure residents live in homes that are safe, healthy and appropriate for their needs.”
Clarke Willmott LLP acted for Somerset Council throughout this process, with Toby Huggins of Unity Street Chambers representing the Council at its hearing in April 2025.
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