2nd
Nov 2015
A Southall Landlord told the council that her two outbuildings were empty. Following a further investigation, Ealing council demolished them in spite of the fact that five people and one child were living there.
The landlord had been given an enforcement notice by the council over a year ago. The notice ordered the landlord to cease using them as habitats and to knock the buildings down by December 2014. The landlord chose to ignore the order so the council carried out their promise.
The landlord had continually claimed that the buildings were empty and the latest investigation found the five people and a small child present, they have since been housed elsewhere.
The landlord will be handed a bill for the total costs of the demolition and if this is not paid then the council will issue a charge on the remaining properties on the land. The charge will incur interest on any outstanding monies.
Councillor Julian Bell said: ‘I am always astounded when I see and hear about the unacceptable conditions that landlords of unauthorised outbuildings expect tenants to live in. These illegal structures are substandard and do not meet the planning regulations that are in place to protect our residents and communities. They will not be tolerated and the council will take robust action where owners fail to comply with enforcement notices.’
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