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Landlord faced with £85,000 bill after illegally letting property (11 November 2015)

Date: 11/11/2015
Duncan Lewis, Housing Solicitors, Landlord faced with £85,000 bill after illegally letting property

Islington Council has successfully prosecuted a landlord, as part of a planning enforcement crackdown in the Caledonian Road area of the borough.

The council had asked a major local landlord to ensure all his properties were being used lawfully in planning terms.

When the landlord applied to confirm that use of one flat in particular was lawful – Basement Flat, 374 Caledonian Road, N1 – it emerged that the flat was subject to an enforcement notice.

The notice been complied with by the flat's previous landlord, but was being breached by the current owner.

The enforcement notice said the flat was “an unsatisfactory and substandard unit of residential accommodation” with “inadequate light and outlook and poor living environment”.

The notice required unauthorised use of the basement as a self-contained flat to cease. The council then initiated legal action against the owner.

On 22 June 2015, Andrew Costi Panayi – of 243 Caledonian Road, London N1 – pleaded guilty to breach of a planning enforcement notice relating to the unauthorised use of the basement flat at 374 Caledonian Road.

At a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing at Blackfriars Crown Court, Mr Panayi was ordered to pay a fine of £2,000 with costs award of £15,900 – and was issued a confiscation order of £70,000 in relation to the profits made from renting out the basement flat in breach of the enforcement notice.

The council has established that the basement flat is no longer being used as rental accommodation.

Islington Council's executive member for housing, Councillor James Murray, said:

“More and more people in Islington are renting privately – and we are determined to help make sure they have decent homes to live in.

“Most landlords act lawfully – but when rogue landlords break the rules, we will go after them.”

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise landlords on their obligations under the Housing Act 2004, including advising on health and safety obligations, enforcement notices and confiscation orders.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – and our housing solicitors offer competitively priced fixed fees whenever possible.

For expert legal advice on housing law for landlords, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.


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