A couple from Perivale have been handed substantial court fines after entering guilty pleas for converting their home without planning permission.

The pair failed to comply with an enforcement notice, following the conversion of their home into two self-contained flats without the required planning permission.

Shahzad Gul Aga and Mehvash Khan Jakhrani, both of Rydal Crescent, Perivale, appeared at Ealing Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, December 18 after a thorough investigation by Ealing Council’s planning enforcement team.

Aga received a fine of £4,000 and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £125 and costs of £1,000. Jakhrani was fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £125 and costs of £500.

The couple were reported to have converted their house to two flats without permission in April 2009.

An enforcement notice was subsequently issued by the council in April 2011 requiring them to cease the use of the house as two flats; remove kitchen facilities on the upper floor; remove partition wall and doors installed to separate access to each flat; and remove resulting rubbish from the site.

Aga and Jakhrani failed to comply with the notice and, after issuing a letter of caution in November 2013, the council decided to prosecute the owners.

The couple have been ordered to pay the sums due by monthly instalments starting on January 27 2015.

Anyone who suspects someone of carrying out work on their property without planning permission should report concerns to the council for further investigation.

Residents can find out more and search for a planning application or a decision at: www.ealing.gov.uk/planning