Council begins demolishing illegal 'beds in sheds'

Published by Max Salsbury for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities, Legal, Local Government

Newham Council is thought to be the first local authority in the country to demolish a 'beds in sheds' type of property under the Housing Act.

The building's demolition was featured on the BBC's One Show programme, during which 'beds in sheds' were described as "21st Century Slums".

The council's taskforce head, Russell Moffatt, told the show that about 30 orders had gone out to landlords to demolish illegal properties. Landlords have been warned that the council will come in and knock the buildings down if they fail do so themselves.

Around 60 landlords have been prosecuted by the council in the last six months for letting illegal dwellings.

The demolished premises in East Ham had been home to six men who had been sharing a single toilet and shower, in conditions that were described as "very tight and very cold".

Mr Moffatt said: "When you see women and children living in these properties, it is very sad. We can't accept this in London in the 21st Century."

However, charities have raised concerns that destroying 'beds in sheds' could force more vulnerable people onto the streets where they face other dangers.

Shelter's chief executive, Campbell Robb, said: "Unfortunately, for many people living in this type of accommodation, it is the only place they can find that's one step away from living on the streets. It's important that people who are taken out of sheds are found decent accommodation by councils and the Government."

Newham Council's Ian Corbett, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: "We want to ensure that private sector rented properties are well managed and meet a good standard. We also want to deal with the crime and anti-social behaviour that is sometimes associated with bad private sector rented housing.

"One bad house can drag down a whole street and we are doing this for the community. There are good landlords in Newham and we want to work with them. Unfortunately there are also some unscrupulous ones - and these are the ones we are targetting.

"We will never accept private sector tenants being directly exploited by landlords who force them to live in dangerous and unacceptable conditions. Good landlords have nothing to fear. For the bad ones, we have a clear message: clean up your act or pay the price."