Beds in sheds case in court as slum landlords shame Britain

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.

Last night's BBC news carried an item on the problem, showing tenants living in appalling and unsafe accommodation on the doorstep of where London's Games are taking place.

In one of the latest cases to be taken to court, the London borough of Hillingdon was tipped off by a resident about landlord Jamal Uddin and his use of an outbuilding as accommodation for tenants.

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.

Keith Burrows, cabinet member for planning, 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.”