A group of Harringay Online members have been working quietly together doing some great work to fight illegal conversions in Harringay. Previously the LCSP have made efforts to fight this and Haringey Council are slowly beginning to be more active in the area too.
Recently two landlords were taken to court in connection with illegal conversions. Their fine was, to say the least, unlikely to act as a deterrent.
Haringey Council have today released the following press release:
COURT FINE "TOO LENIENT"
Cabinet Member for Enforcement Cllr Nilgun Canver today criticised a fine imposed on two landlords who ignored enforcement notices as "too lenient".
Paul Lambrou and Michael Michael pleaded guilty at Haringey Magistrates to failing to comply with an enforcement notice under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 after a property in Burgoyne Road, N4, was converted into flats.
Haringey Magistrates committed the case to the Crown Court after deciding that they had inadequate sentencing powers.
But they were each fined £1,000 with £500 costs by the Crown Court. They were ordered to pay the fine within six months, with 28 days in prison if they fail to do so.
Cllr Nilgun Canver, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said:
"This is a really disappointing decision by the court. This is one of the most serious cases we have had to deal with.
"This property was converted without planning permission. That was compounded by 11 flats being crammed into the development, leaving tenants with sub-standard accommodation.
"These men flagrantly ignored enforcement notices. We will not hesitate to take action against illegal conversions.
"This development allowed them to take in substantial sums in rent. In my view, the penalty was far too lenient and the defendants were not ordered to pay the full cost to the council in bringing this case, which is unacceptable."
The maximum fine for this offence at the magistrates court is £20,000.
Tags for Forum Posts: hmos, illegal conversion
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