Rogue landlord Shashibhushan Vyas was fined over £115,500 at Isleworth Crown Court last week for illegally converting a side extension into a separate unit at his property on Mandeville Road, Isleworth.

Investigations led by the Council’s Planning Enforcement service found that the rogue landlord had rented out the separate unit for six years.

SQUALID

The tenant was found to be living in squalid and dirty conditions with a toilet located less than one meter from the kitchen.

Shashibhushan Vyas previously converted his extension (pictured) in 2007 before a neighbour told the council that it was being used as a rental home.

Councillor Tom Bruce, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Development at Hounslow Council, says: “Many of the residents who live in these appalling conditions are vulnerable and do not have the resources to challenge their landlords.

“I am proud of the work the Council’s Planning Enforcement team has done in this case; enforcing this breach of planning regulations and addressing the substandard conditions that the tenant was having to suffer.

“Every resident in this borough has a right to live in comfortable and safe homes and it is important that landlords and others know that we are fully prepared to pursue those who do not follow planning rules.”

Landlord

Over the past four years, enforcement action by Hounslow Council has led to the improvement of 3,900 homes in the borough, which has supported the lives of 12,000 local residents.

In the last year, the Planning Enforcement team has successful ended the use of 25 unauthorised residential units and secured 68 demolitions of unauthorised extensions and structures through the justice system.