What's wrong with renting out sheds?
Chris Hogan, 7th November 2016, Landlords
The "sheds for beds" scandal broke a few years ago - so-called landlords renting out scores of beds in virtually any building to hand, particularly barns and other agricultural buildings.
The bulk of this is to provide cheap accommodation for tenants who could easily be exploited - mainly foreign migrant workers, many illegal.
Landlords were often their employers too - deducting the cost of appallingly sub-standard accommodation from meagre wages and sometimes effectively imprisoning them. This was most prevalent in agriculture, but had begun to spread to other sectors that have similar high labour requirements, but low profit margins.
Now there are also people renting out sheds on a smaller scale - taking advantage of the need for accommodation for low paid workers in expensive areas.
Not illegal
Letting your own garden shed or outbuilding out for accommodation is not necessarily illegal, as long as it's done correctly.
You'll need to make sure that the building is made up to the right standard for living accommodation - this usually covers the provision of insulation, damp-proofing, washing facilities and utilities - heat and light.
But the most important thing is to obtain planning permission for the change of use - you won't be allowed to rent it out otherwise.
Task forces active
In case you think that no one will find out, the authorities are increasingly targeting illegal renting. A couple in Hillingdon and a family in High Wycombe were taken to court earlier this year over this.
In both cases, not only were they stopped but pursued for estimated rent they'd earned - £3,000 and £21,000 respectively. That was on top of fines, court costs for both sides and the cost of undoing all the work that had been done - removing kitchens, bathrooms etc.
Unfair competition
While large scale 'beds in sheds' for migrant workers isn't likely to cause issues for law-abiding, professional landlords who do everything properly, illegal sheds in domestic gardens definitely can.
Tenants being lured into these sub-standard hovels could just as easily be renting your property, so it's direct and unfair competition, not to mention the contributing to a bad impression of landlords in general.
Reporting
So if you think someone's using a shed or outbuilding as accommodation it's important to report it - more convictions, fines and confiscation of earnings will make others think twice
Some councils (Hillingdon is a case in point) have a task force dedicated to stamping this out, with others you should start with the local planning department.
If you need the contact information for your local council, please use the GOV.uk link provided.
