Landlord ordered to pay almost £135k or go to jail

A rogue landlord who made almost £130,000 in illegal rent after converting his three-bedroom house into two flats without planning consent has been ordered to pay just short of £135,000 or face going to jail.

Akram Hussain, 57, converted the family home in Glenny Road, Barking, into a one-bedroom flat and two-bedroom flat without obtaining planning permission.

Snaresbrook Crown Court was told that Hussain, of Bedford Road in Walthamstow, received £129,755.15 in rental fees.

“Mr Hussain demonstrated a flagrant disregard for the law,” said cabinet member for enforcement and community safety Councillor Laila Butt. “We have procedures in place to protect people and ensure that all work meets fire regulations and safety measures.”

Butt added: “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.”

Hussain was sentenced and fined £5,000, under Section 179 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

If he does not pay the £5,000 within six months he will be jailed for six months. He must also pay back £129,755.15 his tenants paid in rent. Failure to pay the money within three months will result in 12 months in prison.

Butt continued: “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.”

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