Illegal HMO conversion leads to criminal conviction and £18,000 bill for East London landlords 

Thursday, October 31st, 2024 - London Borough of Barking & Dagenham

Two landlords who refused to stop using their property as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) despite losing a planning appeal have been found guilty at court.

Colin and Susan Woodward purchased the property on Dagenham Road, Dagenham in June 2016. In August 2019, Colin Woodward applied for a HMO licence, which was granted in September 2019.

However, Barking & Dagenham’s Planning Enforcement Team informed the Woodwards that planning permission was also required to operate the property as an HMO. A retrospective planning application was submitted but refused in January 2020.

A Planning Enforcement Notice was served, requiring the cessation of HMO use and removal of related fixtures. Despite appealing to the Planning Inspectorate, both appeals were dismissed in November 2020.

The Woodwards were required to comply with the planning enforcement notice by May 2021. During a visit in November 2021, council officers discovered the property was still being used as an HMO.

As a result, Mr and Mrs Woodward were summoned to Barkingside Magistrates Court in September 2022 where they pleaded not guilty. On 27 August 2024, they appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court where they changed their pleas to guilty.

They were each fined £6,000 with £3,000 costs payable to Barking and Dagenham Council, totalling £18,000.

Councillor Syed Ghani, Barking & Dagenham’s Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: 

“We are committed to ensuring that all properties within Barking and Dagenham comply with planning regulations. The actions taken against Mr. and Mrs. Woodward demonstrate our dedication to upholding these standards.“Despite multiple warnings and opportunities to rectify the situation, they continued to ignore our Enforcement Team which left them with no choice but to pursue legal action. We hope this case serves as a reminder that planning regulations are in place for a reason and must be adhered to.”

Our free guide containing more information about property licensing and HMO planning restriction in the London Borough of Barking & Dagenham is available here.

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