Salah Ali has been handed down one of the biggest ever confiscation orders in the country

A rogue landlord has been ordered to pay a record fine of more than �1 million for illegally converting a house in Willesden into 12 flats.

Salah Ali, has been forced to pay a total of �1.438m within six months or will be sent to jail for 10 years, Norwich Crown Court Heard.

The fine, for the property in Willesden Lane, is believed to be the highest confiscation order granted for a planning offence in the country and follows a prosecution brought by planning enforcement officers at Brent Council. Ali, 52, of Carlton Avenue East, Wembley is alleged to have continuously flouted planning regulations in the borough for the last ten years.

Last month, the Times revealed that the council were aiming to clamp down on landlords who house people in illegal extensions, known as ‘Beds in Sheds’.

Ali was also ordered to pay a fine of �4000 for the breach of the planning regulations and legal costs of almost �35,000, while a restraint order has been placed on Mr Ali to prevent him from disposing of his assets before he fulfils his obligations and pays the �1.438 million.

Chris Walker, assistant director of planning and major projects at Brent Council, said: “This landlord ignored planning rules designed to ensure that the quality of accommodation in the boroughs is maintained and that the environment for surrounding residents is protected.

“He ignored the council’s notices and as a result, he profited hugely from this sub-standard accommodation.”