A rogue landlord from north London has been ordered to pay more than £64,000 for breaking housing regulations on a property in Barking, east London.

On the 20 July, last year, Sumon Miah of Mortimer Terrace, Highgate, was found guilty at Barkingside Magistrates Court for breaching a planning enforcement notice served on a property being used illegally as a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO).

Miah has now received his sentence and was ordered to pay a fine of £15,000, costs of £12,573 and handed a £37,000 confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act. The order represents the criminal benefit made from renting the property out.

In summing up the judge said the sentence reflected his persistent disregard to the enforcement notice and the fact he had purchased the property on Ripple Road, Barking, as a vehicle to generate income and subsequently converted it into an HMO illegally.

Cllr Margaret Mullane, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said: “This has been a complete disregard for the rules put in place when it comes to planning enforcement and HMOs.

“And as Mr Miah continued to ignore the enforcement notice handed to him, he now has to stump up a huge amount of cash. I hope this sends out a warning to all landlords who are not following the rules.”

Miah will have three months to pay the fine and failing to do so, he will serve a 12-month prison sentence and if the confiscation Order also is not paid within three months, he will serve a two-year sentence.

Barking and Dagenham Council operate a Private Rented Property Licensing Scheme, which means all private landlords must be registered with the council and it is a criminal offence to let a property out, without getting it registered.