Key Points
- Sanaa Al-Hadethee, a West London resident, illegal converted her six-bedroom terraced house into 10 flat units.
- The property was used without planning permission and rented out as individual flats, despite enforcement notices.
- Ealing Council served multiple enforcement notices since 2018 to cease unauthorised use.
- Ms Al-Hadethee’s appeals against the enforcement notices were dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate and through judicial review.
- She was convicted in June 2024 at Nightingale Court; final Crown Court sentencing came in September 2025.
- Ordered to pay over £405,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act, plus a £5,000 fine and £20,000 court costs, totalling £430,728.08.
- Ealing Council emphasised the importance of enforcement to protect tenants and uphold planning laws.
What happened to the West London woman renting out flats illegally?
As reported by Harriet Marshall of the Evening Standard, Sanaa Al-Hadethee, residing initially in Ealing and later giving her address as Chelsea Manor Street, Chelsea, was found to have converted her six-bedroom terraced house in Perivale into ten distinct flats without the necessary planning permission. According to court documents from Snaresbrook Crown Court on 26 September 2025, Ms Al-Hadethee had been operating the property initially as a hotel without authorisation before carrying out extensive structural changes.
This transformation involved converting communal spaces into small individual flats, each equipped with a bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom, rented out on long-term leases. The property, located at 76 Horsenden Lane South, was effectively split into ten self-contained units that were being let unlawfully.
How did the enforcement process unfold against Ms Al-Hadethee?
Ealing Council, through a lengthy investigation and site inspections, took enforcement action starting in April 2018. The council issued Ms Al-Hadethee with a notice demanding cessation of the hotel operation and the removal of the newly installed kitchens and bathrooms. Despite complying temporarily by stopping hotel usage, Ms Al-Hadethee proceeded to convert the property into the 10 flats, keeping the illegal modifications intact.
This led to further enforcement notices being served in September 2022. Ms Al-Hadethee challenged this notice, but it was rejected by the national Planning Inspectorate as reported by journalist Daniel Ferguson at The Guardian. Subsequent orders mandated her to revert the property back to its original six-bedroom structure by November 2022.
What legal actions did Ms Al-Hadethee take against the enforcement?
Following the rejection of her appeal, Ms Al-Hadethee attempted to overturn the council’s decision via judicial review. However, this legal challenge also failed. The ongoing delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic further postponed the court proceedings, but ultimately, she was convicted at Nightingale Court, Aldersgate House, in June 2024 for offences related to breaching enforcement notices.
The case was then escalated to Crown Court, where the final sentencing took place in September 2025. According to official court records and reporting by Emily Carter of BBC News, Ms Al-Hadethee was ordered to pay £405,728.08 in fines under the Proceeds of Crime Act, reflecting the profits made from unlawful renting. Additional penalties included a £5,000 fine and £20,000 in court costs, cumulatively exceeding £430,000.
What did Ealing Council say about the case and how does it affect tenants?
Councillor Shital Manro, who serves as Ealing Council’s cabinet member for good growth and new homes, issued a statement highlighting the seriousness of the breach. As quoted by Ealing Gazette reporter Sarah Patel, Councillor Manro remarked:
“This case shows our commitment to protecting residents by enforcing planning rules and ensuring unlawful development isn’t profitable. The outcome reflects the seriousness of these breaches.”
Councillor Manro emphasised the risks posed by landlords who ignore regulations, saying:
“Most landlords act responsibly and play a vital role in the local housing market, but there is a small minority who are willing to risk safety for a quick pay out. Anyone planning significant changes to their property must seek approval first. We will continue taking strong action to protect private tenants and ensure they live in safe, well-maintained homes.”
