Landlord Andrew Panayi has been ordered to repay £70,000 in rent under the Proceeds of Crime Act after renting out an unlicensed and substandard basement.
Islington council brought the case and had sought £103,000 for the 14 years the property had been rented out, but this amount was negotiated lower. The money will be paid to the Courts Service and is unlikely to be returned to tenants. Panayi, who has gained some notoriety, was also ordered to pay costs of £16,000 and was fined £2,000.
Panayi said it had not known about a ruling by the council that the space should not be used as self-contained accommodation.
The Guardian, p. 20
