A family of landlords in West London has been hit with one of the largest penalties of recent times for planning breaches at their rental properties, after a six-year case that had been brought by Ealing Council finally concluded at Isleworth Crown Court.

Jagdishbhai, Minaxiben Patel and their adult children, Alpesh and Parul Patel, have been ordered to pay £929,621 between them for converting a Greenford Avenue (pictured) property into multiple flats without permission and continuing to let them out in defiance of enforcement notices. The money they must pay includes a confiscation order of £900,217 plus fines, victim surcharges and prosecution costs.

Unlawfully converted

Council officers first visited the site in 2019 and found it had been unlawfully converted into five separate units that were rented to tenants. Enforcement notices were then issued requiring the Patels to return the building to its original condition.

When officers returned with a warrant in April 2022, they found that the notices had been ignored, with all five units still occupied, and council tax records show rental income continued up until July 2025.

The owners were summoned to court in January 2023 but missed several hearings. They eventually pleaded guilty in June 2023, yet the lettings continued for years afterwards.

We will use every legal tool available to us to ensure offenders who wilfully ignore the rules are financially punished.”

At their sentencing, the court ruled that Jagdishbhai and Minaxiben Patel were the principal beneficiaries of the illegal income. In addition to the confiscation order, each received a £4,500 fine, £8,000 in costs and a £181 victim surcharge. Their children, who were judged less culpable, were ordered to pay £21 surcharges plus £2,000 costs.

Councillor Shital Manro, Cabinet Member for Good Growth and New Homes, said: “The outcome of this prosecution sends a clear message that we will not tolerate illegal property conversions that undermine our planning system and put residents at risk.

“We will use every legal tool available to us to ensure offenders who wilfully ignore the rules are financially punished.”