With demand for rental homes so high in some parts of the UK, it is somewhat inevitable that a small minority of landlords have decided to cash in. The end result is a ramshackle collection of commercial buildings that have been hastily converted into residential lets for tenants, most of them immigrants.
Unsafe Residential Conversions
This type of conversion is a worrying phenomenon in London and the Home Counties. ‘Beds in sheds’ have already been identified in large numbers, but the trend is spreading as rogue landlords see the potential for rental income from old warehouses, office buildings and disused factories. These conversions are unsafe and unregulated, with many having no proper sanitation or heating.
Mount Unpleasant
One such development in Mount Pleasant, Brent, only came to light after a small fire broke out and emergency services discovered up to 100 people living in horrendous conditions. Most of the tenants were evicted, but some 30 still remain, sharing one kitchen and bathroom. One tenant has lived in the conversion for over a year. He is paying £600 per month for the privilege.
Ghost Landlords
Thermal imaging cameras have identified hundreds of suspicious buildings. Last month Harrow Council identified four times as many suspicious outbuildings as they were expecting to find. The problem is that even when such developments are found, it is difficult to identify the landlords responsible because many properties are sub-let multiple times. Rent is also paid in cash, which compounds matters.
According to Kris Hopkins, Housing Minister, £6million has been made available to local authorities to try and deal with rogue landlords. Whether that makes any difference remains to be seen.
