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News: Beds in shed landlord told, "Pay up or go to jail!"

Tue, 17 Jun 14

A rogue landlord has been ordered to pay more than £200,000 or face prison after being hauled to court following an investigation by Hillingdon Council's planning officers.

Michael Aslam, of Reading, was sentenced on Tuesday 10 June at Isleworth Crown Court. He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court to two offences of breaching planning enforcement notices. The matter was referred to the Crown Court for sentencing and a confiscation hearing under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Aslam had been ordered by council officers to demolish an outbuilding at the rear of a property he owns in Sipson Road, Sipson, which had been occupied and used as a 'bed in shed'. He had also been illegally using the house and neighbouring property as a hotel without permission, and had been ordered to stop. He failed to comply on both counts and continued to gain financially from illegal rental income.

At the sentencing and confiscation hearing Aslam was fined £7,500 for each of the two offences of breaching planning enforcement notices - a total of £15,000 to be paid within six months, or to serve 12 months imprisonment in default.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act the judge ordered that Aslam must pay back £170,000 in full within six months, or serve 30 months imprisonment in default. This is to be divided between the council, HM Treasury and the Courts and Tribunals Service.

Aslam was furthered ordered to pay the council's legal costs in the sum of £17,676 within six months.

As the hearing concluded judge HHJ McDowall said: "I must give credit to the council officers who have done an excellent job in seeing that the law is complied with."


See also: Letting Guide for Landlords and Renting Guide for Tenants.

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