Joint action by enforcement officers from the London boroughs of Brent and Harrow has resulted in a landlord being fined more than £310,000 for creating 28 flats in four houses in breach of planning regulations.
Sarkari was prosecuted under the Proceeds of Crime Act which came into force this year, rather than the Town and Country Planning Act; which carries much lower fines. The judge at Harrow Crown Court said Sarkari should pay £303,000, based on rent collected from tenants since 2005 and was also ordered to pay a fine of £7,515 for breaching planning regulations and legal costs of more than £18,000.
He has six months to find the money or he will be jailed for three and a half years.
HM Treasury will receive 50% of the penalty money and the rest will be divided between Harrow Council, Brent Council, Harrow and Brent Trading Standards, and the court collection agency.
Harrow and Brent launched an investigation after Sarkari was convicted of putting four flats into a terraced house in Wembley. The case involved properties in a range of different locations.
Councillor Keith Ferry, Harrow Council’s Portfolio Holder for Planning and Enterprise, said: ‘I am delighted that we have been able to send out a clear message that we will not allow people to profit from illegal conversions.
‘This landlord ignored planning rules designed to ensure that the quality of accommodation in the boroughs is maintained and that the environment for surrounding residents is protected. He ignored the council’s notices. As a result, he profited hugely from this sub-standard accommodation.’
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