A COUPLE who had been illegally renting out a bed in a shed were fined thousands after being taken to court by Hillingdon Council.

Partap Singh and Manjit Thagie appeared at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court last week and pleaded guilty to failing to comply with an enforcement notice.

It required them to stop using an outbuilding in Crowland Avenue, Hayes, as a residential property.

The notice also required them to remove the fitted kitchen, shower room, toilet and internal stud walls.

They were each fined £3,000 and ordered to pay £814.30 each for the council's legal costs.

The court based the sentence on the fact that the couple would have received a rental income during a 12-months period at approx £550 per month. Cllr Keith Burrows, cabinet member for planning, said: "Our beds-in-sheds task force is continuing to clamp down on rogue landlords, and it's encouraging to see that we have the support of the courts.”

Residents who suspect someone of breaching planning or housing regulations can report it to the council on 01895 250230.

Partap Singh and Manjit Thagie are last known to be living in Bedford.