A pair of landlords have been ordered to pay £679,142 after illegally converting a three-bedroom house into six cramped flats.
Inderjeet and Jasvinder Chokkar carried out the conversion without any planning permission and rented out the units for profit.
The case was brought by Brent Council following repeated enforcement action.
The court heard that the flats were poorly designed and severely overcrowded.
Council officers described them as “shoebox” homes that failed to meet basic standards.
Ignored Warnings And Enforcement
Brent Council said it had issued planning enforcement notices demanding the work be reversed.
The Chokkars ignored those orders and continued renting out the properties.
The couple were later convicted of breaching the enforcement notice.
An appeal against the decision was dismissed, clearing the way for financial penalties.
The court ordered the landlords to repay the full proceeds of the illegal operation.
That amount totaled £564,367.
Heavy Fines And Prison Risk
In addition to repaying the income, Inderjeet Chokkar was fined £25,000.
He could face up to 12 months in prison if the fine is not paid.
Jasvinder Chokkar was fined £15,000 and given an eight-month custodial sentence, suspended pending payment.
Their company, Housing Solutions (GB) Ltd, was fined a further £25,000.
The couple were also ordered to pay nearly £50,000 in council enforcement, prosecution, and legal costs.
Together, the penalties and recovered funds brought the total to £679,142.
Council Condemnation
Brent Council said the case demonstrated its commitment to tackling rogue landlords.
“These rogue landlords have felt the full force of the law after choosing to rip off tenants, house them in substandard conditions and ignore planning regulations,” said Cllr Krupa Sheth.
“This kind of exploitation is illegal, and we will root out every last landlord in Brent who behaves like this and take them to court.”
She said the council would continue using enforcement powers to protect residents.
“If you break planning laws and exploit tenants in Brent, we will do everything in our power to bring you to justice,” Sheth said.
“You will pay the price.”
Broader Implications
The case highlights ongoing concerns about illegal property conversions in London.
Councils have warned that unregulated developments often create unsafe and overcrowded living conditions.
Officials say financial penalties are a key deterrent against future violations.
Brent Council said it will continue monitoring properties and pursuing offenders through the courts.
