A rogue landlord who was jailed last year for falsifying documents has been fined £55,000.

Siddarth Mahajan, of Milton Crescent, Ilford, was last year sentenced to 12 weeks in jail in February 2019 for falsifying documents in an attempt to prevent enforcement action relating to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

He had falsely claimed a property of his had been in use as a HMO for more than 10 years and was therefore immune from enforcement action.

He produced a number of documents to support this claim including several tenancy agreements, a letter from an estate agent and a sworn affidavit which appeared to show that the property had been a HMO as far back as 2008, however the documentation was found to be false.

On Friday, February 28 February Mahajan was ordered to pay Barking and Dagenham Council £30,000 at confiscation hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

Mahajan will receive a 12 month prison sentence if there is a default on payment; he has three months to pay.

The judge also ordered the defendant to pay a contribution towards the prosecution costs of £25,000 to be paid within nine months.

Councillor Margaret Mullane, cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said: “I hope this serves as a stark warning to disreputable landlords that we will continue to come after them for their money even if they have been previously prosecuted.

“The council will not stand by and let our residents live in cramped properties that are harmful to their wellbeing. We will use every legal measure at our disposal to ensure homes are of a decent standard, the integrity of the planning regime is maintained and dishonest landlords do not profit from the misery of their tenants.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

For more breaking news, local headlines and features, ‘like’ our Facebook page.

We also have a Twitter account: @ELondonGuardian

Follow us to keep up-to-date with news in Waltham Forest and Redbridge.