A bid to turn an outbuilding into a home has been blocked on appeal, in a move which could deter rogue landlords from creating so-called “beds in sheds”.

Muhammad Afzal Khan illegally placed a tenant in a shed at the rear of Leslie Road, Leytonstone.
When he was ordered to cease using the shed as accommodation, Mr Khan unsuccessfully appealed against the move.

He then applied to the council for retrospective planning permission, but was denied, and subsequently appealed to the planning inspectorate.

This appeal was rejected last month.

The adjudicator said: “I agree with the council that this would constitute a substandard form of accommodation for existing and future occupants.”

The case report notes that the outbuilding contained a double bed, wardrobe and television with an en suite toilet and shower room.

The council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for environment Clyde Loakes said: “The practice of so called ‘beds in sheds’ is something this council is committed to fighting wherever we find it.”

“Frankly, this practice smacks of landlords looking to maximise the amount of money they can make by packing as many tenants into a property as possible, even if they ultimately end up housing them in what are glorified sheds.

“It is unacceptable and where we find it we will put a stop to it.”