A rogue landlord who illegally converted a property into six flats in Bounds Green, London, has been ordered to pay over £220,000 following a successful prosecution by Haringey Council.
The landlord firm, Pathfield Estates Ltd, was previously ordered to return the property to its original condition by a 2008 planning enforcement notice.
However, an investigation launched in 2020 found the firm guilty of breaching the enforcement notice, and the landlord was subsequently convicted at Highbury Magistrates Court in 2021.
The case was later referred to the Crown Count for sentencing and the start of confiscation proceedings brought by the council under the Proceedings of Crime Act (POCA).
After Pathfield Estate’s two appeals against the conviction were dismissed in June 2022 and July 2023, the company was ordered last month to pay a total of £226,433.18 — comprising a £50,000 fine for not complying with the enforcement notice, a £163,258 confiscation order under POCA, and £13,175.18p in costs.
“This conviction serves as a warning to disreputable landlords operating in our borough,” said cllr Sarah Williams, Haringey Council’s cabinet member for housing services, private renters and planning.
“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.”
