Following losing his planning appeal on the rental property in Harpenden Road, West Norwood, landlord Gilbert Garrick pleaded guilty to non-compliance of planning law.
He now faces fines of £30,000, costs of £15,000, and a chokingly large sum of £382,000 - the estimated total rent paid by the tenants living in the unauthorised flats during the period, which is now recoverable under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
Lambeth Council’s cabinet member for Housing, Cllr Matthew Bennett, comments : “Lambeth takes a hard line against rogue landlords who try to make a quick buck out of the housing crisis.
“This landlord will have to pay over £400k in fines and could face prison after ignoring the council’s early warning.
“Let this be a lesson to anyone else who thinks they can cheat their way to a profit – Lambeth will always pursue rogue landlords through the courts to protect our residents from exploitation.”
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