A landlord has been fined more than £90,000 for illegally converting a house into two homes.

Ali Halil Ibrahim Halabi, 65, of Munster Gardens, in Palmers Green, had received planning consent for a two-storey extension to a home in Deansway, Edmonton, but built a self-contained two-bedroom home instead.

Halabi was instructed to convert the house back to the designs for which he had planning permission but refused.

He was ordered to pay a fine of £5,000 for the breach of the planning enforcement notice, costs of £6,219.50 and a £81,625 confiscation order under the Proceeds of Crime Act, which represented profit he had made from renting out the illegally-converted property.

Enfield Borough Council's cabinet member for environment and community safety, Cllr Chris Bond, said: "We don't appreciate people ignoring planning rules because it suits them and helps them make a quick buck.

"These rules are in place for the benefit of the community, to ensure building standards are maintained and prevent uncontrolled development in our communities. This individual thought he could play the system and ignores the rules, but the fact that he is going to pay out more than £90,000 or go to prison shows he was very wrong.”