Two landlords in Brent ordered to pay back £829k after carrying out illegal bedsit conversions
Both landlords must pay more than £829k in total - Credit: Archant
Hassam Hussain and John Feraon failed to seek permission from the council
Two landlords who illegally converted properties into bedsits without planning permission have been ordered to pay more than £829,000 in total.
Hassam Hussain, who now lives in Canada, turned a maisonette on Church Road, Willesden, into nine studio flats without consent from Brent’s planning service.
A confiscation hearing has ordered him to pay back £494,314 which he is believed to have obtained in rent as a result of his illegal act.
He was also fined £20,000 and ordered to pay Brent Council’s legal costs of £38,422.
A second man was ordered to pay £235,000 for converting his property in Carlyon Road, Alperton, into 13 bedsits without planning permission.
John Fearon from Harrow, was also fined £10,000 and ordered to pay the Council’s legal costs of £32,227.
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Both hearings were heard at Harrow Crown Court.
Cllr Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, said: “This sends a clear message that Brent will not allow people to profit from illegal conversions. Fearon and Hussain ignored enforcement notices designed to ensure that homes are of a decent standard and that our shared environment is protected.
“They tried to profit from poor quality accommodation which was not suitable to be lived in.
“Brent is one of the leading authorities on using The Proceeds of Crime Act in Planning Enforcement cases. This shows that we will not tolerate this sort of behaviour in Brent and anyone found to be breaking the law in this way will be dealt with robustly.”
