Southwark council has successfully prosecuted the landlord of a block of flats in the borough where 12 tenants had been crammed into space meant for half that number. The block had planning permission for 6 flats but the landlord made 7 flats out of the available space and 3 of them had "unauthorised" second bedrooms which further reduced the living space. The size of 6 of the flats was below minimum standards and 5 had no dedicated storage space.

In addition, the flats were used for temporary accommodation and short term Airbnb style lets which resulted in ASB and noise nuisance complaints to the council from neighbouring residents.

The landlord, a property company director, pleaded guilty and at the crown court sentencing hearing the court said that the landlord should repay, under the proceeds of crime act, £230,000 in illegally gained rent. He was also fined £13,000 and ordered to pay £25,000 in costs.