News
Barking landlord to pay almost £135,000 or go to jail
A landlord who illegally converted a Barking property into two separate flats has been ordered to pay almost £135,000 or face going to prison.
Mr Akram Hussain converted the three-bed family home on Glenny Road, Barking, into two self-contained flats – a one bed and a two bed – without planning permission.
An investigation by council officers uncovered that Mr Hussain had received as much as £1,925 per month in rental income for the two properties.
Councillor Laila Butt, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, Barking & Dagenham Council said:
“This latest victory sends a strong message that we will not tolerate rogue landlords in Barking and Dagenham.
“The Council is determined to stand up for decent housing standards for our residents and we will continue our pursuit to clamp down on those who are looking to exploit people.“
Council officers served a planning enforcement notice in 2011 to Mr Hussain, which required him to cease using the premises as flats and return the property to a family home. He failed to adhere to the notice and continued to let the properties.
Cllr Butt added: “Mr Hussain demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the law. We have procedures in place to protect people and ensure that all work meets fire regulations and safety measures.
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“The majority of landlords in our borough are responsible but we will not hesitate to take action against the few who think they can put profit ahead of people.“
Mr Hussain, 57, of Bedford Road, Walthamstow, was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 16 June for an offence under Section 179 (2) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. He was fined £5,000 to be paid within six months or face six months imprisonment.
In addition to the fine, a confiscation order, made under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, was agreed to the value of £129,755.15. This included rental income paid to Mr Hussain by tenants, which totalled £77,028.37, and £52,726.78 of unidentified cash deposited into his accounts.
The confiscation order is to be settled within three months or face 12 months imprisonment.
Barking and Dagenham Council will receive 37.5% of the proceeds from the order, which will be reinvested into efforts to tackle such rogue landlords. The government will receive half and 12.5% will go to the court service.
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