A rogue landlord who illegally turned a Walthamstow property into 13 flats has been slapped with massive fines and a confiscation order.

Landlord Innac Elitok first came to the attention of authorities back in 2013 when he was ordered to knock down an illegal third-floor rear extension to his properties at 619 - 623 Lea Bridge Road, Walthamstow.

The following year he was told to stop renting the houses out at flats after a council inspection revealed that the family homes had been split into individual apartments.

But more than five years later it was discovered that Elitok, who rented the flats through his company Elitok Properties Limited, had ignored both the enforcement notices.

Cllr Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for the environment, said: “He was given plenty of time to act and he didn’t, instead he kept raking in the money and thought that we had forgotten about him.

“Now he’s had all the money taken from him and has a criminal record to boot."

Inanc Elitok pleaded guilty to ignoring two previous notices at a hearing at Snaresbrook Crown Court.

At the sentencing hearing on February 26, judge Murray Shanks, fined Elitok £20,000, £10,000 for each offence.

He also confirmed a proceeds of crime confiscation order in the sum of £140,000 based on the estimated five years rent that he had made.

He was ordered to pay Waltham Forest Council’s costs of £17,661 and a victim surcharge of £181 within three months.

Elitok was warned that confiscation order must be paid in three months or face an 18-month prison sentence. The fine and costs must also be paid within three months with a 12 months prison sentence if he did not pay in time.

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