Crackdown in Brent on 'beds in sheds' menace

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Legal

Brent Council is to begin a crackdown on the problem of 'beds in sheds' in the borough.

'Beds in sheds' refers to outbuildings in residential gardens rented out in contravention of planning rules, with Brent believed to be one of the worst affected boroughs in the country.

The council has been granted £163,745 by the Goverment to address the plight of people who are exploited by illegal landlords who let out poor quality, unsuitable accommodation.

One of the measures the council is considering adopting is using planning powers to limit the size of garden outbuildings in hotspots.

Further steps include using infra-red equipment to identify people living in outbuildings and targeting problem streets.

It is feared that some who live in such places could be involved in illegal activities, whilst others are unable to claim the support and services they need.

Brent Council has served up to 28 planning enforcement notices for each of the last three years in cases where buildings were being lived in and breaching planning rules, and expects to quadruple the amount of enforcement action it takes against illegal landlords by next year.

Often, the problem is only solved after legal action to demolish the outbuildings.

Councillor George Crane, Brent Council's Lead Member for Regeneration and Major Projects said: "Brent Council is already one of the best in the country at tackling 'beds in sheds' but the grant will enable us to take systematic action on a much bigger scale.
 
"We want housing for people living locally to be of a good quality and to prevent local areas going into decline because of the proliferation of large garden outbuildings used for rental.
 
"These people are hidden from view because they are often sworn to secrecy. This includes vulnerable people needing our help and support, so we will go about this carefully."

The outbuildings rented out are often unsafe and insecure with issues like poor drainage and no insulation.

Illegal landlords can also make unauthorised use of the house itself and have recently started using vacant commercial premises.
 
It is thought that many 'beds in sheds' tenants may not be on the electoral role or pay council tax and some may be in the country illegally.