0:00:02 > 0:00:04The law says everyone has the right to a safe place to live...
0:00:04 > 0:00:08- You've actually seen rats, have you? - Yeah, we have, yeah.- Right.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10..but for thousands of people across Britain right now,
0:00:10 > 0:00:13the reality can be more hovel than home.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15We've got a nappy in the tree there, look.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17I'm sure that that is pee.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19COCKEREL CROWS
0:00:19 > 0:00:21In the battle between tenants and landlords,
0:00:21 > 0:00:24it's local housing officers who are on the front line.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25I can smell gas.
0:00:25 > 0:00:27You're committing an offence under the Housing Act.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Are you having a laugh?
0:00:28 > 0:00:30I'm Matt Allwright.
0:00:30 > 0:00:32Damp, cold, dangerous.
0:00:32 > 0:00:33They're trying to make me look bad.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Have you only recently become aware of planning permission?
0:00:36 > 0:00:38And I'm back on the job once again,
0:00:38 > 0:00:40joining the ranks of the housing enforcers.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43They are tackling problem properties...
0:00:43 > 0:00:45It's a right old mess in there, isn't it?
0:00:45 > 0:00:48..dealing with the consequences of nightmare neighbours...
0:00:48 > 0:00:50I've had my tyres cut.
0:00:50 > 0:00:53..and doing their best to help those in need.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56SOBBING: This is the first time I've had a smile on my face.
0:00:56 > 0:00:57Oh, Margaret!
0:00:57 > 0:00:59I've just heard a squeak.
0:01:05 > 0:01:09Today I join one council's war on the beds-in-sheds epidemic.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13It's a kind of disparate shantytown of these knocked-up buildings
0:01:13 > 0:01:15where people are forced to live.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18And one family's home needs action, fast.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22We literally put our hand on it and the paint comes off on your hand.
0:01:22 > 0:01:25He actually stopped breathing a couple of nights ago. He had an asthma attack.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28And can I help to finally settle one elderly tenant?
0:01:28 > 0:01:31It seems to me, this has never really felt like a home for you.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34No, and I've been so cold.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38They say an Englishman's home is his castle,
0:01:38 > 0:01:43but if that place is rented, it's the job of housing officers
0:01:43 > 0:01:46to make sure it's a decent place to live.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49They keep an eye on landlords to make sure the property is
0:01:49 > 0:01:51up to scratch and on some tenants to make sure
0:01:51 > 0:01:54they're keeping their half of the bargain.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58With the cost of renting a property in the UK rising fast,
0:01:58 > 0:02:00it seems it's never been harder
0:02:00 > 0:02:03to find decent, affordable, accommodation.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Take Oxford, it might be the city of dreaming spires
0:02:09 > 0:02:12and home to the oldest university in the English-speaking world,
0:02:12 > 0:02:16but beyond the iconic architecture and bustling city centre,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19there's a serious housing crisis.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Oxford is one of the UK's fastest growing cities,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26a fact which has brought new challenges for housing officer
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Paul Fitzgerald and his team.
0:02:28 > 0:02:33There's no doubt that, in Oxford, we've got a housing problem.
0:02:33 > 0:02:39It's the most expensive city to buy in outside of London.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43It's the ninth most expensive place in the country to rent in.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48So, you know, we're only just behind places like Kensington and Chelsea
0:02:48 > 0:02:52and Islington. So there's this huge demand for property.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56And that means some unscrupulous landlords are cashing in
0:02:56 > 0:02:59by illegally converting domestic outbuildings like sheds
0:02:59 > 0:03:02or garages into makeshift accommodation.
0:03:04 > 0:03:07But the council is fighting back.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10In a bid to spot these so-called "beds in sheds,"
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Paul and the team have used a plane to capture aerial thermal imaging
0:03:13 > 0:03:16of outbuildings which could have people living in them
0:03:16 > 0:03:19without proper insulation or facilities.
0:03:19 > 0:03:24It shows all the thermal profiles of all the properties but it also
0:03:24 > 0:03:28starts showing up properties in the rear gardens and alongside.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31So if they're hot enough, if you like, and big enough,
0:03:31 > 0:03:33- then that marks them... - It's not definite...
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Not for definite but it's somewhere to start.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Yes, get into further investigation.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41The thermal imaging has provided some shocking statistics too.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45We actually found we've got over 5,000 structures which have been
0:03:45 > 0:03:47built without planning permission...
0:03:48 > 0:03:52..of which approximately half, so about 2,500 of these,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54have got a thermal profile.
0:03:54 > 0:03:57So there is a potential for them that they may be being used
0:03:57 > 0:03:58for accommodation.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02But with average house prices in Oxford currently
0:04:02 > 0:04:06standing at an incredible 11 times the average worker's salary,
0:04:06 > 0:04:10is it any wonder people are turning to places like these?
0:04:11 > 0:04:13A lot of people would look at this, though, and say,
0:04:13 > 0:04:16"All right, they might not be up to scratch, these homes,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18"but they are providing homes for people in a city
0:04:18 > 0:04:20"where it's difficult to find somewhere."
0:04:20 > 0:04:23A lot of these are built on the cheap.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25And if they've been built on the cheap,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28they're actually presenting a risk for the tenants.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32What we've experienced is a whole range of people living in here.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37We've got everyone from, if you like, migrant workers...
0:04:39 > 0:04:44..to students, to professional people living in these structures.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48No planning permission, they've got no building regulation approval,
0:04:48 > 0:04:52we've got electrical installations which aren't certificated.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56We've got gas installations which aren't gas safe.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01And some landlords are preying on the most vulnerable in society too.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06What, at first appearances appeared to be a garage,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08but actually this one was being let
0:05:08 > 0:05:10to someone with learning disabilities.
0:05:10 > 0:05:14Where you had a person with learning disabilities living in a garage.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16Presumably they weren't... Well, I don't know.
0:05:16 > 0:05:18Were they paying their own rent or was that coming out of...
0:05:18 > 0:05:20No, social services were paying for that.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23- Housing Benefit was paying for that place there?- Yes.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Unbelievable.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26But it gets worse.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28Oh, look at that!
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- That is literally made just out of doors.- Out of doors.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33Someone was living in there?
0:05:33 > 0:05:35Someone was living in that.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Even the roof was made out of doors.
0:05:37 > 0:05:40What you've got, like, spread over people's back gardens in Oxford
0:05:40 > 0:05:43is a kind of disparate shantytown
0:05:43 > 0:05:45- of these knocked up buildings... - Yeah.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48- ..where people are forced to live. - Yes.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51If there's a fire in one of these, someone is going to die.
0:05:51 > 0:05:52You know, why shouldn't we provide
0:05:52 > 0:05:56a minimum standard of housing accommodation
0:05:56 > 0:05:58that's safe for those people living in there?
0:05:59 > 0:06:01It's a race against time,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04but if the council is going to stop these exploitative landlords
0:06:04 > 0:06:08before a tragedy occurs, we'll need to get a closer look on the ground.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13And that's where housing officer James Leathem comes in.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16From the map, what we're led to believe is not only have we got
0:06:16 > 0:06:19this, there may be another outbuilding behind
0:06:19 > 0:06:21what looks like the garage here.
0:06:21 > 0:06:24Face on, the garage just looks like a normal garage
0:06:24 > 0:06:27but as you can see from these pictures, there you go,
0:06:27 > 0:06:29it's pretty much the length of the garden there.
0:06:29 > 0:06:30Two further doors on it.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34Going to pass this on to planning because, you know, obviously...
0:06:35 > 0:06:36..it isn't just a garage.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38A garage would probably only come up to this point here,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42where there's an added...probably an extra three or four metres at least.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47Here's a separate entrance which is...
0:06:48 > 0:06:51..again, looks like any storage unit.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56And the blue door is what we're led to believe has been bricked up
0:06:56 > 0:07:00inside and potentially has people living in it.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05With a possible 2,500 illegal dwellings across the city
0:07:05 > 0:07:08and its suburbs, James has his work cut out.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14So there's no-one living in it at the moment?
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- And have you got any facilities in there?- No.
0:07:17 > 0:07:18So there's no kitchen, bathroom,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21any shower facilities or anything like that?
0:07:21 > 0:07:24One of the dwellings already identified by the thermal
0:07:24 > 0:07:27imaging camera is this garage.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29But there are other telltale signs too.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32You can tell it's not being used as a garage
0:07:32 > 0:07:34basically by the undergrowth here.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37But what really gives the game away is the overspill
0:07:37 > 0:07:42of the expanding foam which they've used as some sort of insulation.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46So you can see here as well where the installation goes
0:07:46 > 0:07:49straight along the bottom of the door here.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51It's just a total giveaway, really.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53And it's a real poor job.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55Just a money-making machine, really.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58People preying on other people's vulnerabilities.
0:07:58 > 0:08:01And due to the high rents in Oxford,
0:08:01 > 0:08:04some people have to resort to this type of accommodation.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10- CAMERA SHUTTER CLICKS - It looks like a combination
0:08:10 > 0:08:13of aerial imaging and James' intuition have hit the jackpot.
0:08:14 > 0:08:18What you can see in here is...there's a kitchenette,
0:08:18 > 0:08:22there's a toilet and shower at the far end.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29Actually, someone is actually living in this.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31There's quite a few personal belongings in there.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34There's photographs on the side as well.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38I'm concerned about where the drainage goes, I'm concerned about...
0:08:38 > 0:08:39This seems to be...
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I don't know where the electric is being fed from.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45It certainly isn't designed to be used as residential,
0:08:45 > 0:08:46for residential use.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48It's a garage and that's all it is.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51They've converted it into accommodation
0:08:51 > 0:08:53and it's not fit for that purpose.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58Coming up, James returns to confront the owner.
0:08:58 > 0:08:59You need to read it carefully
0:08:59 > 0:09:04and I would advise you to seek legal advice if you feel that's necessary.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Over in Essex, I'm heading out with housing officer Rob Goswell.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15We're off to Clacton-on-Sea to inspect a rented property
0:09:15 > 0:09:18that's battling a serious case of mould.
0:09:18 > 0:09:21But a breakdown in communication between landlord and tenant
0:09:21 > 0:09:24means the council's had to step in.
0:09:24 > 0:09:27We can sort of alleviate their fears
0:09:27 > 0:09:29but it can cause a little bit of confliction
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- with the landlord who says, "Well, you can come to me."- Yeah.
0:09:32 > 0:09:33"And then we could head this all off
0:09:33 > 0:09:35"without having to involve a third party."
0:09:35 > 0:09:39You know, the longer I'm doing this programme and this job,
0:09:39 > 0:09:42the more I'm finding that that relationship is crucial.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45We've come to meet Chloe Warbis and Luke Byrne
0:09:45 > 0:09:47who live in this first-floor flat
0:09:47 > 0:09:49with their three-year-old son, Riley,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53but the couple are absolutely fed up of their damp living conditions.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55In the bathroom, soaking wet.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59We literally put our hand on it and the paint comes on your hand.
0:09:59 > 0:10:01It's disgusting. Really disgusting.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04And he actually stopped breathing a couple of nights ago.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06He had an asthma attack. He stopped breathing.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09He's just on so many medications and it's ridiculous.
0:10:09 > 0:10:13Children who live in damp conditions are up to three times more prone
0:10:13 > 0:10:15to respiratory conditions, such as asthma,
0:10:15 > 0:10:17than those who live in dry homes.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21What can't be helping here is all the mould by Riley's bed.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25What I would suggest is maybe rotating around,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28maybe having the bed more this side than that cos it keeps it away,
0:10:28 > 0:10:31and then keeping a good sort of gap between that and this cold wall.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33This is the wall you want to really be avoiding
0:10:33 > 0:10:34putting stuff up against.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37The family have lived here for just seven months,
0:10:37 > 0:10:40but the appearance of damp and mould hasn't come as a complete surprise.
0:10:42 > 0:10:46Before we moved in here I met with Roy, he'd said that the past tenant
0:10:46 > 0:10:49in here, she'd lived in here for... I think he said a year and a half.
0:10:49 > 0:10:51And she was constantly, every month,
0:10:51 > 0:10:53going over to complain about the mould.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56That's what he said to us before we moved in here and we thought
0:10:56 > 0:10:58she's obviously not airing her windows,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01but being in here ourselves, we are always having our windows open.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06The problem is worse than Chloe had anticipated.
0:11:06 > 0:11:09The ironic thing about this situation is that landlords
0:11:09 > 0:11:11Roy and Stephen Kelleher
0:11:11 > 0:11:14just happen to own a damp-proofing company.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16Stephen's come to inspect the mould for himself.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19To be perfectly honest, this is the first we've been informed of it.
0:11:19 > 0:11:20You haven't actually informed us.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23- We spoke to Roy.- Did you? - Yes.- Right, OK.
0:11:23 > 0:11:26He said, "Oh, it's just damp because of condensation or something."
0:11:26 > 0:11:29Yeah, yeah. Well, the mould is generally caused by condensation.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31But we've had, since you've been here, I think
0:11:31 > 0:11:34- we've put a warm deck roof, new flat roof back on.- OK.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37There've been a few leaks downstairs that we've had repaired.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Right. So, in the bathroom...
0:11:40 > 0:11:43So you can see there's quite a lot of black mould growth, isn't there,
0:11:43 > 0:11:46on those two outside walls.
0:11:46 > 0:11:49Two external walls, yeah. The main issue is going to be ventilation,
0:11:49 > 0:11:52without a doubt, with regards to the mould growth.
0:11:52 > 0:11:54There's certainly a bit of moisture in the walls,
0:11:54 > 0:11:56but the amount of moisture that is obviously in here,
0:11:56 > 0:11:58created in here, is soaking into this wall.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00So you reckon, then, what we're looking at here -
0:12:00 > 0:12:03and it seems to make sense - is that there's been use of
0:12:03 > 0:12:05the bath and the shower and then,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07because you've got the moisture inside,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10onto those two cold outside walls, you get condensation.
0:12:10 > 0:12:11- That's when you get the...- Exactly.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14If you don't come in and switch the fan on, you know,
0:12:14 > 0:12:17- you're not going to...- Is it actually working? Can I just...?
0:12:17 > 0:12:18Oh, it is working a little bit.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21The damage caused by the mould gives me an opportunity to
0:12:21 > 0:12:25hone my newly-acquired knowledge as a trainee wannabe housing officer.
0:12:25 > 0:12:27How much do you know about windows?
0:12:27 > 0:12:30Well, all I know is that windows often come with a lintel
0:12:30 > 0:12:32- top and bottom, don't they? - Absolutely.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35And if they're not sealed on the outside, they can draw...
0:12:35 > 0:12:38If they're sandstone or something else that's sort of semi-porous,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41they can draw the moisture through into the building then.
0:12:41 > 0:12:42Yeah, absolutely.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46And obviously, them being solid, again, going to be massively cold.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49I'm working on the basis that wherever you've got an external wall
0:12:49 > 0:12:52in this flat, you know, you're running the risk
0:12:52 > 0:12:53of getting moisture.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56As soon as you get an outside wall, it's going to collect there,
0:12:56 > 0:13:00really, without lots of heating and lots of ventilation.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04In the kitchen, a new tumble dryer could spell further problems.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07You mentioned, when you're washing your clothes how wet they are.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11When you chuck them in there, that moisture's got to go somewhere. I'd advise not use it.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13The same as drying anything on the radiator.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16It's a complete no-go in something of this size, you just can't do it.
0:13:16 > 0:13:18But if they can't dry their clothes on a radiator
0:13:18 > 0:13:22and they can't use the tumble dryer, what exactly do they do?
0:13:22 > 0:13:26Meanwhile, having established beyond doubt that there is a big damp
0:13:26 > 0:13:27and mould problem in this flat,
0:13:27 > 0:13:30it begs the question of who's responsible for repairs?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35A landlord generally is responsible for damp caused by
0:13:35 > 0:13:39leaking pipes, a structural defect or a faulty damp proof course.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43But if tenants fail to take adequate measures to ventilate
0:13:43 > 0:13:47the property, the landlord probably isn't responsible.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48In any case, you should always
0:13:48 > 0:13:50check your tenancy agreement.
0:13:50 > 0:13:54To be honest with you, we have to air our house anyway.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- We do it all the time.- We do.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Even when it is in the winter, we still have to keep all
0:13:58 > 0:14:02the windows open, cos otherwise, that wall out there is soaking wet.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06It's a shame because, in every other way, this is actually quite
0:14:06 > 0:14:07a decent flat, it seems to me.
0:14:07 > 0:14:09- It is, yeah.- It's a big flat.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12You know, you've got space, and it's light and it's bright
0:14:12 > 0:14:16and, you know, it's pretty safe for Riley and the rest of it.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18It's just the fact that every outside wall
0:14:18 > 0:14:20seems to be coated in this.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23That doesn't crop up overnight, does it?
0:14:23 > 0:14:27So you reckon there's nothing more that you can guys could do to prevent this from happening?
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- We could try.- Yeah, we could give it a go.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32I mean, we don't use that tumble dryer whatsoever.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34- Used it once, I think.- Yeah.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35But I don't know what else to do.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38All the house is always open,
0:14:38 > 0:14:40it's always fresh air, it's always clean.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42I don't know what else we can do.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Clearly Chloe and Luke feel like they're running out of options,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49and they may soon start looking for an alternative home.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52In the meantime, Rob has some useful advice for them.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- Have you got a thermostat here, out of interest?- Have we got a what?
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Thermostat. You know, that little wall thing...
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Yeah, it's just behind here.- Yeah. I'll have a look at it.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02Set it to between 18 and sort of 20, 21 and that.
0:15:02 > 0:15:05Between there, that's some good temperatures, you feel happy.
0:15:05 > 0:15:08And if you can keep that temperature, it will remove
0:15:08 > 0:15:12some of the conditions that are conducive to damp and mould.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15But I want to know if the landlord is prepared to do his bit.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18- Are you going to be proactive with this?- Yeah, of course we will.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20The first thing we need to do, we'll have to speak to the
0:15:20 > 0:15:23tenants cos we need to know how they're living day-to-day.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25With regards to the ventilation, we have to rely on them.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29If they can't self-ventilate then to make sure our property stays intact
0:15:29 > 0:15:31- we'll have to put a PIV system in. - Yeah.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34But it's going to be with working with the council,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36working with the tenants and then we'll make a report and then
0:15:36 > 0:15:39we'll deal with it ourselves. We'll get it sorted out.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43PIV means "positive input ventilation".
0:15:43 > 0:15:46It's a system which reduces condensation by circulating
0:15:46 > 0:15:48fresh air within the property.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51It could be the perfect solution for both parties.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Some action needs to be taken quickly
0:15:54 > 0:15:57if the landlord wants to keep his tenants.
0:15:58 > 0:15:59There's a young family there
0:15:59 > 0:16:05and clearly the damp situation in their flat is affecting their lives
0:16:05 > 0:16:07and they're worried about it.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09But we're in a situation where the landlord is saying,
0:16:09 > 0:16:11"They didn't tell me anything about it,"
0:16:11 > 0:16:13and they're saying, "We did."
0:16:13 > 0:16:16Actually, the most important thing is to draw a line there and say,
0:16:16 > 0:16:19"Let's move on and just deal with the problem.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22"So you protect your property and you protect your health."
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Should be that simple, shouldn't it?
0:16:31 > 0:16:35In Oxford, the local council are also flexing their legal muscles
0:16:35 > 0:16:39clamping down on illegal rented accommodation across the city.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43I've been seeing how unique thermal imaging cameras have
0:16:43 > 0:16:46helped to locate hundreds of outbuildings which are being
0:16:46 > 0:16:50unlawfully rented out, so-called "beds in sheds".
0:16:50 > 0:16:53Armed with our intelligence, housing officer James Leathem
0:16:53 > 0:16:55has hit the streets to investigate further.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01He's identified this garage as a suspected illegal dwelling.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03We don't know how it's been constructed,
0:17:03 > 0:17:08what lies inside, whether it's safe to be used as accommodation.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10Potentially there's damp, there's mould,
0:17:10 > 0:17:12could be excess code issues,
0:17:12 > 0:17:14could be a risk of fire, we don't know until we gain access.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19If he can prove that someone is actually living in the garage,
0:17:19 > 0:17:22James will serve a prohibition notice to shut it down.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26But first, the owner has some questions to answer.
0:17:28 > 0:17:29OK.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32And who's using...?
0:17:32 > 0:17:34My friend, she's living...
0:17:34 > 0:17:39- She needed to live there temporarily.- OK.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41And how long have they been living here?
0:17:41 > 0:17:43- A couple of months now.- OK.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- It's OK if I go in, yes? - Yeah, that's fine.- Thank you.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52Well, seeing the clothes, the teddy bear and the toiletries,
0:17:52 > 0:17:57it's pretty clear that this garage is home to some poor soul.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00Are you the landlord? Do you own the property or are you renting the property?
0:18:00 > 0:18:03We... This is our property.
0:18:03 > 0:18:04- You own it, yes?- Yes.- OK.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09It's hard to imagine just how desperate you need to be
0:18:09 > 0:18:11to make a home here.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15What you can't tell on camera is it's a very musky smell in here.
0:18:15 > 0:18:16It's quite damp.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20It's not great conditions for anyone to be living in.
0:18:20 > 0:18:23You can see the various heating appliances.
0:18:23 > 0:18:29There's one, two, three, four stand-alone heating appliances.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32So, you know, that just suggests excess cold in here
0:18:32 > 0:18:33and especially in this type...
0:18:33 > 0:18:36We're in midwinter now, it must get very cold
0:18:36 > 0:18:39in here at night-time. Potential fire risks along with that.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41We've got stand-alone hotplates.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46You know, it's not very nice at all, really, considering.
0:18:46 > 0:18:50What really hits you, though, is the musky smell, the damp.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55It's quite a list. And this garage even has its own bathroom,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58complete with some unorthodox plumbing.
0:18:58 > 0:19:05What we have noticed is the water feed is from the garden hose tap.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07It seems to be feeding...
0:19:07 > 0:19:09the shower and toilet.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13She said that someone has been living in here for a couple of months.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16Any length of time spent in these conditions is going to have
0:19:16 > 0:19:19some sort of effect on their wellbeing.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21It is pretty poor. Pretty poor.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23The water coming from the garden hose
0:19:23 > 0:19:25is liable to freeze in the winter
0:19:25 > 0:19:28and the damp could lead to respiratory infections
0:19:28 > 0:19:30or even cause asthma attacks.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36James has seen enough to know this place isn't fit to live in
0:19:36 > 0:19:38and he wants it shut down.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41We need to serve these notices.
0:19:41 > 0:19:45This one is for the occupants of the accommodation you've got here.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48- OK.- We believe it's unlawful, potentially unsafe as well.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51So, we don't believe there's been any planning permission
0:19:51 > 0:19:55or build control been adhered to in regards to that.
0:19:55 > 0:19:58- That will be left in the property for the occupant.- OK.
0:19:58 > 0:20:02It's quite important, as you can see, it affects the property here.
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Make sure they read that. It doesn't mean they'll be street homeless.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09It gives them a certain amount of time to find alternative
0:20:09 > 0:20:12accommodation but it must not be occupied after that.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- Yes.- OK?
0:20:14 > 0:20:17The owner now has a set period in which to stop using this
0:20:17 > 0:20:19structure as accommodation.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22If they fail to comply, the council can destroy the building
0:20:22 > 0:20:24and bill the owner for the work.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27They could also be hit with a £5,000 fine.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30You need to read it carefully, and I would advise you to,
0:20:30 > 0:20:33you know, seek legal advice if you feel that's necessary.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36- There are rights of appeal within there as well.- OK.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39But it outlines everything that we're doing today.
0:20:39 > 0:20:41It isn't appropriate for someone to be living here for any length
0:20:41 > 0:20:45- of time at all. You need to cease use of that immediately.- OK.
0:20:45 > 0:20:48- All right? Thank you very much. - Thank you.
0:20:49 > 0:20:50It's a job seen through.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54We've got to the conclusion. We've found the conditions were
0:20:54 > 0:20:57nowhere near what you'd expect for someone to use for accommodation.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59They didn't adhere to any of the planning
0:20:59 > 0:21:02or building control regulations.
0:21:02 > 0:21:03It is a win on our behalf.
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Well, since James' visit,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09the owner has stopped renting out the garage as a bedsit
0:21:09 > 0:21:12and the occupants have moved to Brighton.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14But for the team at Oxford City Council,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17the search for illegal beds in sheds continues.
0:21:21 > 0:21:23As part of my training, I've come to Suffolk,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25where housing officer Sam Thomson
0:21:25 > 0:21:30helps elderly tenants downsize into council-run sheltered accommodation.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Sam manages a block of 40 self-contained flats
0:21:35 > 0:21:37centrally located in the town of Sudbury.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Sam thinks she may have found a possible new tenant.
0:21:41 > 0:21:4593-year-old Peggy Steeden currently lives in Long Melford,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48a mere three miles away from the town of Sudbury,
0:21:48 > 0:21:51but she may as well be out in the sticks.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54The thing is it's very lovely, it's very beautiful out here.
0:21:55 > 0:22:00But if you are not mobile, it becomes a prison, doesn't it?
0:22:00 > 0:22:01Oh, yes, very easily.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Especially with the lack of public transport from some of these smaller villages.
0:22:05 > 0:22:11Unless you've got family really close by who can take you out a lot.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15Peggy moved into a two-bed private flat in this converted
0:22:15 > 0:22:18tobacco factory a year ago.
0:22:18 > 0:22:20But it's on the fourth floor.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23- Oh, gosh!- Your lift isn't talking.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25'I've got a very bad feeling about this.'
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- I think we're going down again. - It's not lighting up either, Peggy.
0:22:29 > 0:22:33- It usually talks as we're going up. - OK.- It did when I came up just now.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- LIFT:- Fourth floor.- I think we're getting an idea why Peggy needs...
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- 'Ground floor, exit now.' - ..to move.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41- We're back on the ground floor now. - We're trapped in the lift.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43We've gone up to the fourth floor, where Peggy's flat is,
0:22:43 > 0:22:46- and then back down again to the ground floor.- 'Going up.'
0:22:46 > 0:22:48Peggy, you've got to get out of this place.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- This is not right. - You're telling me.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53- BELL RINGS - 'Fourth floor.'
0:22:53 > 0:22:55There we are.
0:22:55 > 0:22:58Pffff.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- This is the other exit. - Is that the stairs?
0:23:02 > 0:23:05- Oh, yeah, that's no good. - That's awful, isn't it?
0:23:05 > 0:23:10- Oh, my gosh.- Concrete stairs going down four floors.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14So if the lift wasn't working, then Peggy would be stuck, I'd say.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Oh, wow.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22- Lovely and bright.- Have you been here before?- No, I haven't.
0:23:22 > 0:23:24It's lovely when the sun is out.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26How long have you been in this place now?
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Been here just over the year.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31And just now realising that this is not really the place any more?
0:23:31 > 0:23:32- It's too big.- Right.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35- Do you want to see the rest of it? - Yeah, let's have a look.
0:23:35 > 0:23:37Cos it's nice, but I can understand...
0:23:37 > 0:23:40Oh, it's lovely, I'm not disputing that.
0:23:40 > 0:23:42And you're way up here, aren't you?
0:23:42 > 0:23:45Oh, my goodness. There's a lot more.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48Peggy moved here following a long spell living close
0:23:48 > 0:23:50to her daughter in Cyprus.
0:23:50 > 0:23:54When I came here and I couldn't walk to the bus stop...
0:23:56 > 0:23:57..I was stumped.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I had to use a taxi everywhere. I didn't know anybody,
0:24:00 > 0:24:01only my son here.
0:24:01 > 0:24:05- Have you not really connected with this place?- No.- This is...
0:24:05 > 0:24:08- It seems to me this has never really felt like a home for you.- No.
0:24:08 > 0:24:13- I didn't have arthritis until I moved here.- Right.
0:24:13 > 0:24:15And I've been so cold.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Peggy's clearly had enough.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20She's now considering moving into sheltered accommodation,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23but it hasn't been an easy choice.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27I once went to visit somebody in Clacton-on-Sea.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29They were in a home.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32And I walked into the room and they were all sitting
0:24:32 > 0:24:34around on chairs,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37and I think half of them were doped, you know,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40because they were all very sleepy.
0:24:40 > 0:24:44And I vowed then I'd never go into anything like that at all.
0:24:44 > 0:24:49I'd rather live on my own in one room rather than do that.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Sheltered accommodation could be the answer, though.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56It would mean Peggy wouldn't necessarily lose her independence.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00You have access to the shops, you're near to the doctor's.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03I had to have a taxi to the doctor and a taxi back again.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05It's £10 a time.
0:25:05 > 0:25:09It's interesting cos people naturally associate their own home,
0:25:09 > 0:25:13you know, rented or an owned thing, as independence
0:25:13 > 0:25:17but, in fact, it seems like the right joint accommodation
0:25:17 > 0:25:19can give you that independence back.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22- Oh, yes.- The power to do what you want to do.- Yes. Oh, yes.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25Are you excited about the prospect of possibly moving?
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Oh, can't wait.
0:25:28 > 0:25:30I've waited a whole year.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35See, that's a really nice flat,
0:25:35 > 0:25:39but it runs the risk of turning into a prison for Peggy
0:25:39 > 0:25:41if she stays here because it's wrong.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43It's up on the fourth floor
0:25:43 > 0:25:45and she has to use that one lift to get anywhere.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48She's on the outskirts of town, it's just not right.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I'm really hoping that the flat Sam has available here might
0:25:51 > 0:25:53offer the perfect solution.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57For starters, it's on the ground floor - no lifts.
0:25:57 > 0:25:59- Is this the one that's vacant? - This is the one that's vacant.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01So, after you.
0:26:01 > 0:26:02Thank you.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06Oh, this is lovely.
0:26:07 > 0:26:08I like your colour scheme.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Well, you can change it if you wanted to should you move in.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13What we've done is we've left the carpets
0:26:13 > 0:26:16because they were in such good condition from the previous tenant.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19- Yes, they are.- If you don't like the carpets, you want to bring your own,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21we can remove them, that's fine.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24No, it's fine. It's what I would have chosen anyway.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27- Nice and neutral, isn't it? - That's right. Yes, it is.
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Yes, that's lovely.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31It's been lovely...beautifully decorated, hasn't it?
0:26:32 > 0:26:34Oh, this is lovely.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37This is very nice.
0:26:37 > 0:26:38'So far so good.'
0:26:38 > 0:26:41- So that's got to be more convenient. - It's very compact, isn't it?- Yes.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43You've got everything you need there.
0:26:43 > 0:26:46- You've got the curtain as well. - You've got the curtain as well.
0:26:46 > 0:26:47Yes, that's lovely.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48That's super.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53They've made a nice job of this, haven't they?
0:26:53 > 0:26:56The advantage of living here is having someone like Sam on-call.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Any problems, if I'm around, you can let me know.
0:26:59 > 0:27:03You've also got your pull cord, your intercom and your call alarm
0:27:03 > 0:27:05- for urgent... - That's wonderful, isn't it?
0:27:05 > 0:27:08- It's got everything. - ..urgent assistance if I'm not around
0:27:08 > 0:27:10or you need to get hold of me urgently.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- Just pull the cord? - Yes, just pull on the cord.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14Oh, that's absolutely wonderful.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Just an assessment form to fill out.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20And then it looks like Sam has some news.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22We've done the assessment...
0:27:22 > 0:27:24- Mm-hm.- And...
0:27:24 > 0:27:27- Is it now mine? - From the answers you've given me,
0:27:27 > 0:27:31- I'm very happy you're suitable for the property.- Mm-hm.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35So I can verbally offer you 14 Playford Court.
0:27:35 > 0:27:41- Would you like...- Oh, Sam! Oh, wonderful.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43- I could sit down and cry. - THEY LAUGH
0:27:43 > 0:27:49Peggy couldn't wait to move into her new home, but after we left,
0:27:49 > 0:27:53she did decide to redecorate and change the carpets.
0:27:53 > 0:27:57I'm happy to report she loves the new colours and, more importantly,
0:27:57 > 0:28:01she's very happy to be comfortable in a place that she can call home.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06That's it for today's show.
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Join me next time when I'll be finding out more
0:28:08 > 0:28:12about what it takes to become a front-line housing officer.