News

Beds in shed landlord slapped with £15,300 penalty

30 July 2012

A ‘beds in sheds’ landlord has been slapped with a substantial £15,377 fine after being brought to court by his local council.

A resident tipped off The London borough of Hillingdon concerning landlord Jamal Uddin and his utilisation of his outdoor shed as accommodation for tenants.

Uddin, of Gloucester Road, London, was fined £5,400 for breaking a house of multiple occupation licence and £6,600 for failing to adhere to a planning enforcement notice ordering him to stop using the outbuilding as accommodation. Moreover, he was ordered to pay council costs of £3,377.

The council had advised Uddin that he must cease renting out the shed in the garden of the property in Uxbridge. After failing to abide by an enforcement notice, Uddin was found guilty at Uxbridge Magistrates Court.

Cabinet member for planning, Keith Burrows, said: “Renting sheds or outbuildings not only fall foul of planning regulations but also the accommodation is often cramped and unsuitable for someone to live in.

“Anyone caught flouting these planning laws should be aware that the council will take action and they face ending up in court and being hit with a hefty fine, as given in this case.”