Sheds with beds

[Modette]

Just wondering what you guys would do about this situation (if anything). The house adjoining mine was let to tenants just under a year ago. I am not sure exactly how many people are living in this three bed semi but there are at least two couples with two newborn babies and one other adult.

At the end of the garden there is a substantial sized shed which the owner built, its about 12ft X 8ft with a power supply. Single skin wood construction with one door and one small window.

I have noticed a man coming in and out of it a few times and sitting on the doorstep of it putting his boots on - but thought nothing of it, he could have been changing into boots to dig the garden or whatever. Then today I noticed that the shed now has a satellite dish on the roof. There is already a huge dish on the front of the house so this is for a TV in the shed which leads me to think someone is actually living in it. There was something on the news this past week about this, things like poor electrics and fire hazards etc. Not sure if I should be doing anything about this?

 

[Eklipze3k]

If they own the property they're pretty much entitled to do whatever they like on it (within planning/zoning restrictions). If they're tenants though, the landlord might well be VERY interested in what they're doing as no doubt they'll have set their own restrictions regarding what can and can't be done on their land.

 

[udtrev]

There was something on during the week where the council raised 2 issues:

1) it's unlikely to be done with planning permission and possibly unsafe

2) it's not been declared so we are all paying for the services used - ie no bugger is paying council tax, rates etc on it.

Trev

 

[Grainge16]

Sounds like a massive fire hazard to me if its got electrics, and because its single skinned its gonna be chilly at night, so chances are there's an electric fire/heater in there

All it takes is one muppet to leave it on and go out or knock it over....

 

[Modette]

Well strictly speaking the shed has a bigger footprint / height than would have been allowed IF the owner had bothered to get permission when he built it, he was aware of this and planted conifers all round the garden and some creeping vine thing over the roof and there are old trees behind it, so its semi hidden by all the greenery. The only ones who can really see it are me and the people on the other side, we have a disused school playing field behind us. But this just makes it an even bigger fire hazzard, I also think its unlikely that the owner knows how many people are living there.

As far as council tax goes, if they are paying for more than 2 people living in the house (which I assume they are) then they are already paying the full amount so it would be an electoral role issue if some of them are not registered there. I have spoken to the letting agent about them before over a few other issues and they were 'reminded' about the terms of the agreement they have and I havent had cause to complain since until this....

 

[GeorgeDamper]

Report them to the Council.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/6908390.stm

 

[DaveMcT]

Just tell the landlord & let him worry about it.

 

[Doofer]

The landlord may be completely in on it - they often rent per room, so if he can get a few quid a month for a shed then great.

Get the council involved - if people are living in third world conditions then they know what to do about it, or can rehouse people in need, deport people who shouldn't be here, etc.

 

[Focus Owner]

using that dwelling as a house is also illegal under planning law.
change of use n all that

 

[herpsuk]

The landlord may be completely in on it - they often rent per room, so if he can get a few quid a month for a shed then great.

Get the council involved - if people are living in third world conditions then they know what to do about it, or can rehouse people in need, deport people who shouldn't be here, etc.

Deport? We dont do that! Its against there human rights.

Instead they get a uk passport, 3 bedroom house. 10s of thousands of pounds a year benefits any more rights than the real english!!!!

 

[Modette]

Im pretty sure the owner doesnt have a clue, he just handed it over to a local letting / estate agent and they deal with it all, and I dont think they would let out a shed, they are a reputable company in the area. I think this is entirely down to the tenants.

 

[sludgeguts]

As above, report them.
We've had a few instances with Asians building huge sheds to house their extended family. One guy claimed he had asked the council if it was OK to turn his garage into a gym & they said it was.
This 'gym' had a bedroom with double bed, a small bathroom, kitchenette and sitting area.
I know of at least 4 round here who built huge sheds at the end of their garden & neighbours reported them.

 

[ChrisUK]

Sounds like a sublet scam to me.

E.G) Family one lives there gets housing benefit etc etc. Family two pay rent to family A to live there. And the dude in the garden must pay also lol.

It's happening all over the place apparently especially in 'sought after' areas such as London. 12"x8" sounds rather large for a shed tbh and as Daz said is now classed as a dwelling.

 

[Shadeyman]

Report them to the Council.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/panorama/6908390.stm

:yeahthat:

 

[dave]

find out what he is paying an rent him your shed cheaper :idea:

 

[Rawb]

find out what he is paying an rent him your shed cheaper :idea:

As above.

I don't see anything wrong with living in a shed personally, it's no different from people living in caravans? But that's a whole new story.

 

[herpsuk]

As above.

I don't see anything wrong with living in a shed personally, it's no different from people living in caravans? But that's a whole new story.

Around here there are **** loads of caravans full of polish and portugese, Most of them not known to the country and most not paying tax etc!!

http://goo.gl/maps/0d3W

Above is a good example. There are many that are hidden from view above or from the road!

 

[dave]

Around here there are **** loads of caravans full of polish and portugese, Most of them not known to the country and most not paying tax etc!!

http://goo.gl/maps/0d3W

Above is a good example. There are many that are hidden from view above or from the road!

there are a **** load of British hippies living in converted buses, lorry's and horse boxes in Portugal too

 

[DaveMcT]

Al we all have the right to live where we like within the EU. I fancy Tenerife except there's no work because no-one is taking holidays there.

Tax however is another issue which the revenue should be sorting out.

 

[Focus Owner]

people in caravans arse called travellers.