A landlord couple have been ordered to pay more than £270,000 for illegally converting a house in West London into four separate flats.
Amarjit Singh, 54, and Jasbinder Kaur, 45, divided the house in Hillington without planning permission, also constructing an outbuilding for rent.
At Isleworth Crown Court they were ordered to pay more than £250,055.80 — the income generated from charging rent on five illegal units.
Councillor Steve Tuckwell said: “This is a significant result for our planning enforcement and trading standards teams and sends a clear message that the creation of beds in sheds and illegally rented properties will not be condoned in our borough.
“We’re determined to keep residents safe from harm and ensure everyone can live in safe, good quality homes, and we will continue to take legal action against any landlords who break the rules.”
The outbuilding tipped off Hillingdon council, which inspected the property in June 2018.
The council then served planning enforcement notices on November 20, 2018, which required the main property and outbuilding be returned to use as a single dwelling, removing all but one kitchen, and internal partitions and lockable doors used to divide the home by March 21, 2019.
Singh and Kaur were also individually fined £10,000 and required to pay prosecution costs of £4,480.