The joint-owners of a Hobbit-sized flat have been fined more than £80,000 after letting the property to tenants illegally.
The basement apartment, which contains a small kitchen and bathroom with a staircase leading to another room with a bed, was deemed 'inadequate' by authorities owing to its small size and lack of sunlight, BirminghamLive reported. Officers described the property - situated in Selly Oak, south west Birmingham - as 'unpleasant' and 'dark', allowing very little light with an outlook onto the street 'impossible'.
In a case that went to Birmingham Crown Court on December 15, two defendants were ordered to pay £4,000 each within two months - or face three months in prison. The pair have also been given three months to pay a confiscation order of £67,000 or face 16 months in prison.
In addition, both defendants have been ordered to pay another £4,000 to Birmingham City Council, meaning they owe a total of £83,000 for their troubles. Authorities anticipate, meanwhile, that the confiscation order will recoup some of the profits the duo made from letting the flat to tenants.
The owners had ignored the Council's original orders to stop renting out the space, before they were summoned to court.
Describing the case, Cllr Martin Brooks said: "On the 15th December the planning enforcement team had a successful prosecution in Selly Oak which included a confiscation order under the proceeds of crime act. The property was insufficient in size, had insufficient windows and low ceiling height. It was a very unpleasant living environment. With the costs awarded to the city council and the fines taken the total against these defendants was £83,000.
"We do hear from members from time to time of concerns and difficulties over planning enforcement and I just wanted to make people aware of a very successful prosecution that took place. This is an important victory for the city and demonstrates how the city is dealing with rogue landlords.
"This is a message that letting out that kind of property is very serious, and the city will take severe action against rogue landlords. This is a warning to these people that letting out unfit properties is not acceptable."
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