An investigation by The Bristol Cable has revealed that Bristol City Council is indirectly renting properties from Naomi Knapp, a landlord who was handed a five-year banning order in 2022 for multiple housing offences related to substandard HMOs.

Despite the order, Knapp has reportedly leased properties to third-party provider Auvelle Housing, which received over £500,000 in public funds between April 2024 and January 2025 for emergency accommodation. Some of these homes were formerly occupied by tenants evicted as a result of the banning order.

While there’s no evidence Knapp is involved in the active management of the properties—something that would breach the order—the arrangement highlights the limitations of enforcement powers, especially in cities where councils are under severe pressure to find housing for vulnerable people.

A council spokesperson has confirmed the arrangement, and The Cable points out the irony that the same local authority that secured the banning order is now indirectly funding the landlord it sought to penalise.

A very detailed report on the latest revelations can be found on The Cable’s website here: https://thebristolcable.org/2025/05/bristol-council-paying-to-rent-homes-from-banned-landlord/