'Beds In Sheds' Fires Cost 13 Lives

Thirteen people have died and 69 seriously injured in fires that broke out in makeshift homes across the capital, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said. Since 2009, there have been 438 fires in sheds and outbuildings, where people were living in "unsafe" conditions. Five people died in 2010-11 and four lives were lost in both 2012 and 2013. LFB said it has taken action against landlords in the capital, serving about 200 enforcement notices. There were 96 fires in 2009-10, which dropped to 85 the following year but jumped to 104 in 2011-12. In 2012-13, 77 fires were tackled by the brigade while the figure rose to 97 last year.  Read more on the BBC website.

Landlord Loses Battle to Keep 'Bed in Shed'

A landlord has lost his appeal to house a tenant in an outbuilding in his garden. Muhammad Afzal Khan appealed a decision by Waltham Forest Council to the national planning inspectorate but the body has now found in favour of the council.  Mr Khan was issued with an enforcement notice last year after the council discovered an outbuilding at his address was being used for accommodation.  In response, the landlord applied for retrospective planning permission for a ‘garden room’.  Inspectors found that the building contained a double bed, wardrobe and television, with a toilet/shower room attached. Read more on 24dash.