A landlord was ordered to pay over £110,000 after illegally subdividing his property into seven separate flats.

Tirath Singh, who owns 75 Park Road, Ilford, obtained a House in Multiple Occupations (HMO) licence but failed to seek planning permission for seven illegal units he built there.

Redbridge Council says Singh rented out the seven homes to tenants over five years between 2016 and 2021, but none were aware that his renting in this way was illegal.

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Singh appeared at Snaresbrook Court on February 9, 2023 and was sentenced for one breach of an enforcement notice under Section 179 (1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

He was ordered to pay back the £110,670 he received in rent for the seven illegal units through the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

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He was also fined £3,750 and will have to pay costs of £3,097.

Leader of Redbridge Council Cllr Jas Athwal said: "Local people deserve to live in safe, high-quality homes, and rogue landlords will not be tolerated in our borough.

"Mr Singh's decision to build illegal units without planning permission is unacceptable. I want to thank our anti-fraud team for building such a robust and compelling case, resulting in a substantial fine."