A landlord has been ordered to pay just over £42,000 in illegal gains and £10,000 in fines and costs for sub-standard developments to a basement flat.
The landlord developed one basement flat into three, collecting rent from three households instead of one. He also added a haphazard and sub-standard rear window extension on the roof of another property. Neither development had planning permission.
Southwark Council's planning enforcement team led the prosecution after the illegal and substandard developments were not removed.
After reviewing financial investigations carried out by the council's trading standards team, the court ruled that the landlord had illegally gained £42,637.20 in rent. He submitted a guilty plea.
Southwark Council confirmed that the development is now compliant with planning permission.
James McAsh, cabinet member for climate emergency and sustainable development said: "Everyone deserves a good-quality place to live. Planning rules and space standards make sure that new developments are of good quality and a decent size".
"This was a shameless attempt to shoehorn three tiny flats into one basement, along with an illegal roof extension. This outcome serves as a warning that we will not tolerate planning breaches. It also supports us in cracking down on those who try to benefit from renting illegal and sub-standard properties in Southwark".
