Beds-in-sheds landlords gets record fine

A West London landlord has been ordered to pay more than £52,000 after cramming tenants into beds in sheds in two neighbouring properties.

Abdul Rahim Khan, 77, ignored orders from Hounslow Council to pull down outbuildings in Cranford illegally being used as accommodation.

Khan appeared at Isleworth Crown Court on 28 March. He was ordered to pay £25,000 for each charge, plus costs of £2,677. He was told he must pay within a year or face 18 months in jail.

Hounslow Council issued Khan with the two notices in August 2010. The first ordered him to stop using 2 Windsor Road as three separate flats and to demolish an extension and an outbuilding being used as accommodation. The second required him to stop using 2a Windsor Road as six self-contained residential units and to demolish an outbuilding and illegal extension at the property.

Khan appealed unsuccessfully to the Planning Inspectorate and then applied for a certificate of lawfulness for the buildings, which was also refused.

Council officials visited the properties last summer and then wrote to Khan threatening legal action. A follow up visit in November showed the properties had been restored as single dwellings but the illegal extensions and outbuildings had yet to be demolished. Legal proceedings began in February.

Councillor Steve Curran, cabinet member for housing, planning and regeneration at Hounslow council, said: "This is the biggest fine we've ever had for this kind of case, and I'm delighted the courts have decided to send such a strong message to unscrupulous landlords.

"This was clearly a case of overdevelopment and I hope this prosecution sends out a clear message that we won't tolerate unscrupulous landlords flouting the planning rules."