Rogue North London landlord forced to pay more than £220,000

A rogue landlord who illegally converted a property into six flats has been ordered to pay more than £220,000 after Haringey Council successfully prosecuted the company.

A previous unlawful change of use into five flats led to Pathfield Estates being ordered to return the property in Bounds Green to its original condition by a 2008 planning enforcement notice.

INVESTIGATION

However, an investigation launched in 2020 found a new six-flat conversion, in breach of the 2008 enforcement notice led to the company being convicted at Highbury Magistrates Court in 2021.

The action was brought by the council under the Proceedings of Crime Act.”

The magistrates referred the case to the Crown Court for sentencing and the start of confiscation proceedings brought by the council under the Proceedings of Crime Act (POCA).

Pathfield lodged two appeals against the conviction – firstly to the Crown Court (dismissed in June 2022) and then to the High Court (dismissed in July 2023, with an order to pay the Council’s costs of £11,100).

ORDERED TO PAY

At its sentencing last month, the company was ordered to pay £226,433.18p made up of a £50,000 fine for not complying with the enforcement notice, a confiscation order under POCA of £163,258 to reflect its financial benefit from breaching the enforcement notice, plus a further £13,175.18p in costs.

Councillor Sarah Williams

Councillor Sarah Williams, Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing Services, Private Renters and Planning, says: “This conviction serves as a warning to disreputable landlords operating in our borough.

“Our residents deserve to live in safe, high-quality homes and we will not hesitate to take strong action if landlords flout planning laws or leave tenants to languish in poor conditions.

“I want to thank our planning enforcement team who worked tirelessly to get this result.”

Read more about Haringey Council’s housing clampdown HERE.