Forum Topic

Southall 'Beds in Sheds' Landlord Given Massive Fine

I'm quite frankly very surprised this woman was pursued seemingly so vigorously. I wonder who she upset?  ;-)There are thousands and thousands of these "Beds in Sheds" across the Borough and very little in the form of enforcement seems rarely to be done.Of course there may be one or more Ward Councillors and Other Council People with "gyms" in their back gardens, but that's alright.   ;-)

Rosco White ● 2709d7 Comments

I think in order to be able to do more about this there has to be investigation by an outside authority.  Isn't that what happened with the building in Acton?Where are the homes for those made homeless by any action?

Philippa Bond ● 2707d

Too many in "Positions" at "Head Office" involved in this nice little earner, hence there is very little enforcement action.Pretty obvious really IMHO.        No idea but I'd have thought that if there was any chance LBE could seize property in lieu then "Two Houses, Two Jobs, Secret Council Loan, 'Tory Cuts!'" would be all over it.

Rosco White ● 2707d

So if she doesn't pay by January and they stick her in prison for 4 years - 2 years with good behaviour - do they take the properties as well or is the prison sentence instead of her paying the fine?Just wondering if it would be worth taking the prison time to keep the properties. As a husband and wife team, where only the wife seems to have been convicted, the husband could continue to run the rentals. Obviously it's not worth prison if the council take the properties anyway to pay the fine, which of course in an ideal world they should.Does anybody know? I can't find anything saying the council will confiscate the houses if she doesn't pay, just that she'll go to prison. Surely it's better for the council to just take ownership of the rentals and not bother putting her in prison (which will cost us more in the long run).

Tania Bapuji ● 2708d

The other elephant?Certain nationalities only too willing to take advantage of their countrymen and rip them off to make a few greedy extra tax free bucks.

Rosco White ● 2708d

I seem to remember a thread on here from about 18months ago .72 people found to be living in a large house near Crown St.This type of situation is confined to this one instance, but is rife around the country. The shortage of housing is being vastly overplayed imo. The elephant in the room..? Too many people.

Keith Iddon ● 2708d

Or even social housing?There are some 11,000 on LBE's waiting list.

Libby Kemp ● 2708d

The thing that puzzles me is why Ealing Council don't fine all the duff landlords in the Borough heavily. It's a no brainer that should net a very decent income, to be spent on pavements parks and potholes. Does anybody know whether the Council is allowed to keep the money they would raise from such a campaign?

Maire Lowe ● 2708d