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Tenants in the garage?

I am fairly sure that a neighbour has blocked off the bottom of their garden and have converted the garage into self-contained accommodation which is being rented out.
What permissions would be needed to do this legally? Nothing showing up on planning.
I'm probably not going to take it any further as I wouldn't want to be the cause of someone being made homeless but I am curious as to what would be needed to do this legitimately.
All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
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Comments

  • EachPenny
    EachPenny Posts: 12,239 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    elsien wrote: »
    I am fairly sure that a neighbour has blocked off the bottom of their garden and have converted the garage into self-contained accommodation which is being rented out.
    What permissions would be needed to do this legally? Nothing showing up on planning.
    I'm probably not going to take it any further as I wouldn't want to be the cause of someone being made homeless but I am curious as to what would be needed to do this legitimately.
    As a minimum:-
    Planning consent to convert to a dwelling
    BR for the conversion work
    Notification to LA for Council Tax
    Notification/application for separate utility supplies
    Informing mortgage company the property has been sub-divided and part-let

    ...I'm sure there's more.
    "In the future, everyone will be rich for 15 minutes"
  • theonlywayisup
    theonlywayisup Posts: 16,032 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    elsien wrote: »
    I wouldn't want to be the cause of someone being made homeless

    Living in a garage? I'm sure that's the least of their worries.....
  • EachPenny
    EachPenny Posts: 12,239 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Living in a garage? I'm sure that's the least of their worries.....
    You'd be surprised at how upmarket some garages can be:-
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leicestershire-43043752
    "In the future, everyone will be rich for 15 minutes"
  • Barny1979
    Barny1979 Posts: 7,921 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I actually stayed in a garage when I went to Reykjavik
  • worried_jim
    worried_jim Posts: 11,631 Forumite
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    I think this is massive in Slough. Lots of converted garden sheds too.
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 18,306 Forumite
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    I think this is massive in Slough. Lots of converted garden sheds too.

    Also in the Fens where they pack migrant workers in to just about any space that will take a bed. Then there are the subterranean slums (cellars) of London that have a whole family in a single cubical.

    Rogue landlords and human traffickers are in the main, responsible for the horrendous conditions of these squalid "homes". The OP really needs to report his concerns to the local council. The council will then be able to intervene and get these people in to a proper house.
    Any language construct that forces such insanity in this case should be abandoned without regrets. –
    Erik Aronesty, 2014

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • Fire_Fox
    Fire_Fox Posts: 26,026 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    edited 21 October 2018 at 12:36AM
    The tenants could be living in unhealthy/ unsafe/ very overcrowded conditions. A landlord that does not bother with planning permission, Building Regulations and Council Tax banding won't know or care about fire exits, ventilation, safety certificates, deposit protection schemes.

    Council are more likely to serve improvement notices than 'make the tenants homeless' ... depending how overcrowded or unsanitary of course.

    Agree that you should report. You may draatically improve living conditions, residents' health or even save lives.
    Declutterbug-in-progress.⭐️⭐️⭐️ ⭐️⭐️
  • Davesnave
    Davesnave Posts: 34,741 Forumite
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    As I see it, you either believe that our system of planning and building regulations is superior to the free for all or lax controls common in less developed countries, or you don't.

    You also may need to consider whether money to provide local services should instead be going into an individual's pocket.

    For me, there's no problem with these questions. They are the bigger picture and that's what I'd look at.
  • My first thought was that I don't know what area of the country you are in - ie whether it's one with a noticeable number of "beds in sheds" already?

    But, assuming it's a more normal area (ie there aren't "beds in sheds" there at present) - then leaving the situation be would probably be giving ideas to other people to create more "beds in sheds". Fast forward a few years - and you could find your area had been turned into a "beds in sheds" area:eek:

    Many people are huge copycats - and, if they see your neighbour getting away with this, might very well copy them and do the same. Bang - your area would be a lot worse than you had bargained on it being.
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