A Harrow Councillor has had enough of landlords using the law to dramatically increase numbers of appalling “beds in sheds”.

In a poll recently carried out by the Harrow Observer, 98% of people who took part stated that there was not enough being done to cut down the overcrowding of properties for maximum gain by rogue landlords.

Bill Phillips, Labour’s Greenhill ward councillor, said that lawful development certificates can be obtained after four years despite renting outbuildings without proper permission, and that planning legislation allows this to happen after that period of time.

Mr Phillips said: "The law says that if you break the law but get away with it for four years, you are legitimised by the law. That’s insane. We need to spend more on enforcement."

In August a landlord obtained a certificate of lawful use in Hindes Road. It came to light that the landlord had been renting a shed to a tenant as a residence, without any planning permission being given but was allowed to get away with it as four years had passed. This also happened in another area in the ward where a semi-detached house had been converted into seven flats.

 

Mr. Phillips asked the community that:  “If we see this is happening, it needs to be addressed now and not left four years so landlords get away with it,” he said.

 

“Those 98 per cent who said that not enough was done can write to their MPs and to Eric Pickles, he is the responsible minister for this and it is up to him to solve this problem. People also need to write to their council, to their councillors and if they do not respond, write to me.”

Conservative council leader and cabinet member for community safety and environment, councillor Susan Hall, said: “Beds in sheds is an illegal and frequently unsafe practice which exploits those who are duped into living in these circumstances.

“Other boroughs have the same problem, but in Harrow we will go further. The council is working with police and fire to put together the most detailed data yet on which areas are worst affected. You can expect concerted local authority and police.”