Despite the fact that the government is setting up a task force to tackle ‘beds in sheds’ by acting against criminal landlords and removing illegal immigrants, there is a growing number of landlords converting garages and outbuildings and offering them to vulnerable prospective tenants, according to the Association of Independent Inventory Clerks (AIIC).
Thousands of sheds and outbuildings are rented out illegally and those living in in them have to put up with high rents and primitive conditions. Pat Barber, Chair of the AIIC, said: “For years, the AIIC has been appalled at the conditions and rent being charged for outbuildings like garages and sheds. It is a scandal that these back garden slums exist to exploit people who are trapped into paying extortionate rents to live in extremely cramped conditions.Criminal landlords are trapping vulnerable people in 'suburban shanty-towns’
“A recent inventory compilation in Reading covered a garage at the rear of a terraced property. The door was concealed and the front of the unit looked exactly like a garage. No wonder the clerk has problems locating the property. A quick call to the agent confirmed that this was indeed the living quarters of some poor soul. The landlord was obviously trying to avoid planning laws and make some extra money. Possibly the letting agent had turned a blind eye to this in search of the usual commission.
“Renting sheds or outbuildings not only fall foul of planning regulation, but also the accommodation is often cramped and unsuitable for someone to live in.”
Just recently, a ‘beds in sheds’ landlord has been stung with a huge £15,377 penalty after being taken to court by his local council, as the new generation of slum landlords continues to embarrass Britain at the time of the Olympics.
Uddin, of Gloucester Road, London, was fined £5,400 for breaching a house of multiple occupation licence and £6,600 for failing to comply with a planning enforcement notice ordering him to stop using the outbuilding as accommodation. He was also ordered to pay council costs of £3,377.
Uddin had been told by the council that he must stop renting out the shed in the garden of the property in Uxbridge. After failing to comply with an enforcement notice, Uddin was found guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates Court.
According to recent Government research, the worst affected areas are:
- Brent
- Ealing
- Hillingdon
- Hounslow
- Newham
- Peterborough
- Redbridge
- Slough
- Southwark
The AIIC is a not for profit membership organisation and is committed to excellence and professionalism in the property inventory process. The AIIC works hard to ensure that all landlords, tenants and letting agents understand the importance and benefits of professionally completed property inventories.
For further information on AIIC, please visit
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