A ROGUE ‘beds in sheds’ landlord has been hit with a fine as Hillingdon clamps down on illegal back-garden homes.

Jamal Uddin, of Gloucester Road, West London, was ordered to pay £15,377 for using a shed to house tenants.

Officers told Uddin he should stop renting the shed in the garden of Turnpike Lane, Uxbridge, after receiving a tip-off from a resident.

Cabinet member Keith Burrows said: “Renting sheds or outbuildings not only fall foul of planning regulations, but also the accommodation is often cramped and unsuitable to live in.

“Anyone caught flouting these planning laws should be aware that the council will take action and they face ending up in court and being hit with a hefty fine.”

On the same day, Rupa Sodha was fined £3,500 plus costs of £2,069 for renting out a ‘bed in a shed’ and also for illegally re-developing a house into seven self-contained flats.

Hillingdon has put together a dedicated team of officers to tackle ‘beds in sheds’.

The task force will publicise any prosecutions, to act as a deterrent, stop housing benefits to those entitled to them and present others with extra council tax bills.

As well as providing poor living conditions, ‘beds in sheds’ have an environmental impact on communities, such as increased noise and disturbance, and extra pressures on local services.

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