Two men from Brent have been found guilty of illegally converting a property into five flats.
Mr Khetani and his father Mr Patel, from Mortimer Road, NW10, were convicted at Willesden Magistrates Court on 3 March 2015 after carrying out works to a property they own in Neasden without planning permission.
The property, in Prout Grove, Neasden, is a buy-to-let property. They constructed a single-story rear extension, a rear dormer window, an outbuilding in the rear garden and converted the property into five flats, all without planning permission from Brent Council. They then failed to comply with an enforcement notice issued by the council.
They were fined £6,000 each and ordered to pay £613 each towards the council's costs.
Councillor Margaret McLennan, lead member for regeneration and housing at Brent Council said: "Mr Khetani and Mr Patel were not granted planning permission from the council, so decided to carry out construction work regardless. They failed to comply despite numerous warnings.
"As a result, they have built something that hasn't met planning standards and is sub-standard. The court has recognised this and given them a heavy fine to reflect the offence.
"It is not right that tenants live in sub-standard accommodation due to the actions of rogue landlords like Mr Khetani and Mr Patel. It is not right for neighbours to have to tolerate this behaviour either.
"That is why Brent Council takes a robust approach to enforcing planning control".
The pair must now comply with the enforcement notice or potentially face further action.
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Comments
'Experienced Property Developer' is wrong. Failure to comply with an enforcement notice is a criminal offence. Hence this case in the Magistrates Court.
One wonders about the experience...
It is not 'illegal' to breach planning permission - hence no criminal charges have been filed.
Un-educated author who has rushed into writing this.
Again, a rogue landlord bringing the Rental Business into disrepute. These fines should be much higher with a higher proportion to the council to increase their inspectors in order to catch more unscrupulous landlords. Landlords who are honest and caring towards their properties and tenants are being tarred with the same brush as these rogues.