20th
May 2022
A rogue landlord has been found guilty of illegally ‘scrunching’ seven flats into a development when only given planning permission for just six and has been ordered to pay around a quarter of million pounds or face jail.
Southwark council’s officers also found three of the flats had unapproved bedrooms that the authority said further compounded the already cramped and not fit for purpose conditions.
The council found six of the flats were below the minimum standard size and were so badly designed that five had no available storage space at all.
The landlord was also guilty of letting out the flats as short term holiday lets and temporary accommodation which was not authorised by the council. Local residents were continually disturbed by the noise and constant coming and going of the short term ‘tenants’ and holidaymakers.
Southwark council’s successful prosecution was taken out against Highbrow Properties Ltd and its director Iftikhar Ahmed.
Appearing before the Inner London Crown Court, Ahmed pleaded guilty to the charges and was ordered to either correct the development to meet the original planning permission, or demolish the unauthorised flats.
He was also ordered to stop letting out the properties for temporary accommodation.
Following the guilty plea, it was agreed by the court that the landlord had illegally received rent worth £230,000.
The landlord or the company was ordered to pay £230,000 under a proceeds of crime confiscation order, failure to do so within three months will result in Ahmed having to serve a two year penal sentence.
On top of the confiscation costs Highbrow Properties Limited incurred fines and costs of £25,000 and the landlord was ordered to pay £13,000 in fines and costs.
A Southwark council spokesman says: “Everyone deserves a good quality home and space standards make sure that new homes are both good quality and a good size.
“This blatant attempt to shoehorn an extra flat and additional bedrooms, compromised the entire block. This court result serves as warning that planning control breaches will not be tolerated and supports the council in cracking down on those who try to benefit from renting illegal and sub-standard properties in Southwark.”
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