The illegal rental of a Hobbit-sized basement flat has led to a massive £80,000 fine.
Two people were ordered to pay the court fee after they rented the tiny below ground apartment.
The accommodation was described as "unpleasant" and "dark".
It had a tiny kitchen and a separate bathroom plus stairway that led to a room with a bed.
BirminghamLive reports the window to the basement was very small and allowed very little light into the basement flat with an outlook on to the street which was "impossible."
At city's Crown Court on December 15, two defendants were ordered to pay £4,000 each within two months or face three months imprisonment.
They were also been given three months to pay a confiscation order of £67,000 or face 16 months in prison.
The confiscation order will recoup some of the profits the pair had made from 'illegally renting' out the apartment.
On top of this, both defendants have been ordered to pay £4,000 in costs to Birmingham City Council.
In total, the defendants will have to pay £83,000 in fines and costs.
After discovering the basement room was being let out illegally, the city council served the defendants with a standing order to stop them from renting out the flat.
This was ignored and they were then taken to court.
Councillor Martin Brookes, chairman of Birmingham Planning Committee said the defendants had been given more than enough time to cease their activity and eventually action was needed.
The news came ahead of a new scheme which would see landlords in the area required to pay for a licence to show they are providing adequate accommodation.
Under the scheme, landlords will have to pay £700 for a licence and face criminal action if they breach conditions or fail to get a licence.
The Selective Licensing Scheme will cover 25 wards in the city, totalling around 50,000 properties.
Up to 130 staff will target wards under the scheme where the private rented sector is above 20% of properties and there are high levels of deprivation and/or crime.
Birmingham has around 8,000 'exempt' houses and hostels, which offer accommodation for people who might usually encounter problems when trying to find a property.
They include recent prisoners, drug and alcohol addicts, those struggling with mental ill health, young care leavers, refugees and abuse survivors.
Councillor Martin Brooks said: "On the 15th December the planning enforcement team had a successful prosecution in Selly Oak which included a confiscation order under the proceeds of crime act.
"The property was insufficient in size, had insufficient windows and low ceiling height. It was a very unpleasant living environment.
"With the costs awarded to the city council and the fines taken the total against these defendants was £83,000.
"We do hear from members from time to time of concerns and difficulties over planning enforcement and I just wanted to make people aware of a very successful prosecution that took place.
"This is an important victory for the city and demonstrates how the city is dealing with rogue landlords.
"This is a message that letting out that kind of property is very serious, and the city will take severe action against rogue landlords.
"This is a warning to these people that letting out unfit properties is not acceptable."
