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A landlord today claimed a photo of a tiny flat that has become a symbol of London’s housing shortage “didn’t do justice” to the property.

Andrew Panayi spoke out in defence of the property as council officials announced they wanted access to check whether he had flouted planning laws.

The Standard yesterday revealed how the property in Kember Street, Islington, was snapped up within 16 hours of going online despite costing nearly £750 a month in rent.

A photograph advertising the studio appears to show the kitchen just inches from the bed.

Planning chiefs at Islington Council said they were probing allegations planning rules were flouted by subdividing an existing larger flat to maximise profits - a claim Mr Panayi denies.

The flat, marketed as a “modern studio apartment”, is owned by landlord Andrew Panayi, 67.

Today he insisted the 40 flats in the four-storey block, off Caledonian Road, do have planning permission and the photo used by agents Relocate Me “didn’t do justice” to it.

But environmental health and fire safety investigators will also inspect the flat.

Paul Convery, who represents Islington’s Caledonian ward, claimed Mr Panayi had been found to have flouted planning laws “dozens” of times in the past.

He added: “The head of planning sent me an email saying I can’t believe how dreadful that is and that could never have got planning permission under any circumstances.

“The layout appears to have changed from a few years ago when planning permission was submitted for something else. It’s like he’s addicted to running rings around us.

“I have never seen anything like that in Britain. I don’t think there is any way that meets any of the safety rules when you also look at the proximity of electric to water with the cooker and sink so close.”

He claimed Mr Panayi has flouted planning rules in the past but has never been brought to book because of a loophole meaning no action can be taken if breaches take place more than four years before being discovered.

The council can issue orders to prevent the property’s use if found to be unsafe or planning laws have been flouted. It is thought the flat will appeal to Islington’s transient population, which is one of the highest in the country.

Mr Panayi said: “The property does have planning. It’s been checked several times by the environmental health and the planning department. We have not subdivided units.”

He added: “They didn’t photograph the bathroom or the [communal] roof terrace.”

An Islington Council spokesman said: “We take alleged breaches of planning rules and the Housing Acts very seriously, and are seeking to gain access to this property to investigate fully and rigorously.”