Housing Solicitors

Brent Council has obtained a £250, 000 confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 against a company which rented out an illegally converted house.

The property in Beverley Gardens, Wembley was converted from a single dwelling into five self-contained flats – including the construction of an outbuilding in the back garden.

The property additionally suffered from severe mould and fungus growth, putting the health of the residents at risk.

The council demolished the outbuilding, but the owner continued to rent out the individual flats.

Brent Council prosecuted the company, Minamax Ltd, for breaches of planning law. The firm pleaded guilty at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on 19 July 2016.

Minamax Ltd was registered in the British Virgin Islands and an investigation to find the individuals behind the company was unsuccessful, so Brent applied for the restraint order to prevent the sale of the property without a court order.

A confiscation order was obtained on 1 December at Harrow Crown Court, with the £250, 000 representing the rental income that the company had made. The company were also ordered to pay £20, 000 in costs to Brent Council.

Under a Home Office Incentivisation Scheme, Brent Council will receive approximately £90,000 when the order is paid – and will use this money to fund future enforcement work.

Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, Councillor Tom Miller, said:

“This company showed a blatant disregard for planning rules and has now paid the price.

“The court decision shows that companies will not get away with breaking the rules, even if they attempt to avoid detection by registering overseas.

“We will continue to use all means at our disposal to protect the interests of our residents and communities.”


Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise on a wide range of housing law, including advising developers and self builders on planning permissions and planning appeals.

There are Duncan Lewis offices across England and Wales and our housing team is also able to advise on:

• Debt management for homeowners


• Disrepair of rented property


• Housing Benefit


• Housing possession


• Landlords’ obligations


• Landlord and tenant disputes


• Lease extensions


• Local Authority housing


• Mortgage repossession


• Notice to quit


• Nuisance neighbours


• Right to Buy


• Right to Rent checks


• Tenancy agreements


• Unlawful eviction.