0:00:02 > 0:00:05'The law says everyone has the right to a safe place to live.'
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Oh!
0:00:07 > 0:00:09I wouldn't ever envision anyone living like this.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13But, for thousands of people across the UK,
0:00:13 > 0:00:15the reality can be more hovel than home.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17The house was a death-trap, at the end of the day.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19'In the battle for decent housing...'
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Leaving things, that's what happens.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23This is totally unacceptable.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27'..it's local housing officers who are on the front lines.'
0:00:27 > 0:00:28If somebody had died here,
0:00:28 > 0:00:30you would have been standing in coroner's court.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35'I'm Matt Allwright and I'm back with the housing enforcers.'
0:00:35 > 0:00:37LOUD BANG Oh!
0:00:37 > 0:00:39- You all right?- Yeah, good.
0:00:39 > 0:00:42'I'll be with them as they tackle problem properties
0:00:42 > 0:00:44'and slum conditions...'
0:00:44 > 0:00:46Faeces is an issue of... That's...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48Faeces IS an issue!
0:00:48 > 0:00:50'..as they deal with dodgy landlords, nightmare neighbours
0:00:50 > 0:00:52'and everything in between...'
0:00:52 > 0:00:53No!
0:00:53 > 0:00:55That's incredible!
0:00:55 > 0:00:57'..doing their best to help those
0:00:57 > 0:01:00'in need of a happy and healthy home.'
0:01:00 > 0:01:01- Oh, it's fabulous!- Oh, Margaret!
0:01:01 > 0:01:03SHE CRIES Oh, Margaret!
0:01:07 > 0:01:09'Today, in Dudley,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13'things get heated over a flat built in a precarious position.'
0:01:13 > 0:01:16The situation has escalated somewhat since I last called.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19If we could have the presence of a police officer,
0:01:19 > 0:01:21we really would appreciate that.
0:01:21 > 0:01:25'I visit the tidiest student house I've ever seen.'
0:01:25 > 0:01:28This is what you do not generally find in student accommodation.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Look, we have stationery, organised incredibly neatly,
0:01:32 > 0:01:36and a rich and plentiful supply of toilet roll.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40'In Newham, I join housing officers on an inspection of a family home
0:01:40 > 0:01:44'that may have been unlawfully converted to individual bedsits.
0:01:44 > 0:01:45What have we got here?
0:01:45 > 0:01:50OK, yeah, so we've got a cleaning rota for the kitchen
0:01:50 > 0:01:51and the stairs and, on it,
0:01:51 > 0:01:54we've got eight different names on that,
0:01:54 > 0:01:58which is always a good indication of just how many people there are.
0:01:58 > 0:02:01'And, after recently losing his mum and family home,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04'housing officers help to find Harry a new place to live.'
0:02:04 > 0:02:06It's been stressful trying to do it by myself,
0:02:06 > 0:02:08but I've got support and stuff.
0:02:08 > 0:02:12It makes you realise life is too short, so...just crack on with it.
0:02:16 > 0:02:21Every year, more of us rent the homes that we live in
0:02:21 > 0:02:23and, every year, rents go up.
0:02:23 > 0:02:27For those of us chasing cheaper housing, that can mean
0:02:27 > 0:02:31enduring living conditions so bad that they break the law.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34I'm working alongside the men and women
0:02:34 > 0:02:37whose job it is to uphold those laws.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39They are the housing enforcers.
0:02:42 > 0:02:47'Here in Dudley, from time to time, the council comes across properties
0:02:47 > 0:02:50'that are deemed just too dangerous for people to live in.
0:02:50 > 0:02:55'Some are overcrowded, others lacking in basic fire safety.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59'But today, for housing officers Lindon Morgan and David Bates,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01'they're on the way to a truly bizarre property -
0:03:01 > 0:03:05'a flat that presents real and present danger
0:03:05 > 0:03:07'even before you open the front door.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09'They've had a tip-off that some tenants
0:03:09 > 0:03:12'may be living in a rented flat above this shop
0:03:12 > 0:03:17'and just finding the entrance offers its own element of risk.'
0:03:19 > 0:03:22If this is access to a flat, I'm not happy.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24'But it gets worse.'
0:03:24 > 0:03:28As you can see, it's quite a narrow entrance. It's obstructed as well.
0:03:28 > 0:03:33There's the staircase. This is the only way in and the only way out.
0:03:33 > 0:03:36'And then, once you reach the end of the stairs,
0:03:36 > 0:03:38there's only one way to access the flat.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40'First, you have to stand on this chair
0:03:40 > 0:03:43'and then clamber across this roof
0:03:43 > 0:03:48'before finally trying to reach the front door in one piece.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55'Even if you do manage to clamber up onto the roof,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57'there are still plenty of obstacles in your way.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02'Mr Talib is the manager of the shop below.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06'Maybe he can shed a little light on what's going on.'
0:04:06 > 0:04:10- Is this occupied? - We just chill out there.- OK.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12It's very, very dangerous.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15I mean, I'd be worried with even you coming up here
0:04:15 > 0:04:18or anybody coming up here. Somebody is going to fall off.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20Have you had the roof tested?
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Do you know if the roof is capable of supporting people walking on it?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26- To tell you the truth, I don't know.- You don't know.
0:04:26 > 0:04:28- Is there any other way to get in the flat?- No.
0:04:28 > 0:04:30This is the only access to the flat?
0:04:30 > 0:04:33- No access from the shop at all. - No access from the shop.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38'Well, David does manage - somehow or other - to clamber up.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40'Unsurprisingly, he's not impressed.'
0:04:40 > 0:04:43It's not normal to have access across a roof.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50So we'll have to contact Planning and Building Regulations.
0:04:50 > 0:04:54It's a fire hazard, there's actually bags of kindling.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58People could come over, play in it, fall in it,
0:04:58 > 0:05:00knock it over there onto somebody.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02It needs tidying up, really.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07'Mr Talib says that, despite what the housing team may have heard,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10'the flat isn't occupied by any tenants.
0:05:10 > 0:05:13'The guys are going to need a bit more convincing.'
0:05:13 > 0:05:15- You been in there, haven't you? - Yeah.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17So, you've got a little kitchen.
0:05:17 > 0:05:22- A little kitchen, toilet.- Toilet. - One big room.- One big room, right.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26Has anybody ever slept in there overnight?
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Tell me, who's been doing the washing?
0:05:28 > 0:05:31There's washing powder there. Has that been there for ages?
0:05:31 > 0:05:34Clearly, it's being used for something else.
0:05:34 > 0:05:36'For David and Lindon,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39'gaining entry to this flat is now vitally important.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43'If there are people living inside, they're being put in real danger.'
0:05:43 > 0:05:48- It's a death trap.- It's horrendous! Absolutely horrendous!
0:05:48 > 0:05:54I mean, there's no barrier at all. You could just fall off there.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58If I fell off there, that's it. If you fell off, that's it, you know.
0:05:58 > 0:06:02Do you appreciate what we're saying about how dangerous this is?
0:06:02 > 0:06:05- We don't know how safe this is. - Yeah, yeah.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08'And potential dangers to tenants don't stop there.'
0:06:08 > 0:06:12This is the kitchen. That's the cooker there. The electrics...
0:06:12 > 0:06:14I don't know, they might be OK, they might not.
0:06:14 > 0:06:15If there's a fire in here
0:06:15 > 0:06:17and somebody's having a sleep in the back room,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20they aren't going to get out, are they?
0:06:20 > 0:06:23Or they're going to find it very difficult to get out.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25And if it's at night and they come out, it's pitch-black.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28Look at all the trip hazards along here.
0:06:28 > 0:06:31'David and Lindon are clearly getting increasingly concerned
0:06:31 > 0:06:34'about this property, but, despite owning up to using the flat,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37'it seems Mohammed isn't able to open it up
0:06:37 > 0:06:40'as another family member has the key.'
0:06:40 > 0:06:42I'd like to have a look inside.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44And there's no way at all, Mohammed, you can get a key?
0:06:44 > 0:06:45He comes back at ten o'clock.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47- You can't phone him? - He's gone to work, hasn't he?
0:06:47 > 0:06:50- We'll come by later in the week. - We'll come back later in the week.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54We're to help you, work with you and make it safe
0:06:54 > 0:06:57for you, your family and all visitors.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Yeah. I'll sort it out, don't worry.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03'So, unfortunately, the housing team are leaving without
0:07:03 > 0:07:06'being able to check if there's anyone living inside.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09'They're planning on coming back soon, though, as the dangers
0:07:09 > 0:07:13'presented to potential tenants here are very real indeed.'
0:07:14 > 0:07:19Well, I'm basically down alongside the flat.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22Although it's only a first floor roof,
0:07:22 > 0:07:26that's a long way to fall and its onto a very unforgiving surface.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30In fact, there is rubble and bins and fridges.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34This one clearly needs to be prohibited
0:07:34 > 0:07:35so we'll do that as a matter of course,
0:07:35 > 0:07:37straight away, without failure
0:07:37 > 0:07:41and then try working with the landlord to get him
0:07:41 > 0:07:46to realise that he's got a responsibility to health and safety
0:07:46 > 0:07:48and the health and safety of those who are using it
0:07:48 > 0:07:49or even visiting it.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51It's got to be safe.
0:07:51 > 0:07:54'And Mr Talib seems willing to do his bit.'
0:07:55 > 0:07:57I can understand, yeah.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59There's a bit of rubbish on top of the roof,
0:07:59 > 0:08:00but I'll get rid of that tonight.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I know what I'm taking, it's my risk.
0:08:03 > 0:08:05I can understand where they're coming from.
0:08:05 > 0:08:07It's not for the company, it's not for no-one else.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12'But, later, the warm welcome starts to heat up.'
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Listen, we need to sort this out before I do anything with the flat.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- All right, well... - For me to come up here,
0:08:18 > 0:08:19jump on there, it's not safe.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22- No, I agree, yeah. - I agree with that.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28'Waving off your children to go to university
0:08:28 > 0:08:31'is fraught with all kinds of worries for a parent.
0:08:31 > 0:08:34'But top of the list has got to be making sure
0:08:34 > 0:08:37'they have somewhere safe, affordable and decent to live.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40'In Bangor, housing officer Richard Hughes
0:08:40 > 0:08:43'is part of the team at Gwynedd Council,
0:08:43 > 0:08:44'whose job it is to make sure
0:08:44 > 0:08:47'that more than 11,000 students in the city have just that.'
0:08:47 > 0:08:50So, I hadn't really registered, I don't think,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54that Bangor was such a big university town, but clearly it is.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55Yeah, it's massive.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57They get thousands and thousands of students here
0:08:57 > 0:08:59from all over the world, really.
0:08:59 > 0:09:01And that changes the pressure, then, on housing here.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Oh, definitely, definitely.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06We do try our best to try and maintain an acceptable
0:09:06 > 0:09:09and satisfactory standard of that accommodation.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Are there exemplary landlords out there for students?
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Yes there are, to be honest with you.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16And, to be honest, it's always a pleasure to work with them
0:09:16 > 0:09:18because they're so keen
0:09:18 > 0:09:21and they're generally people that actually care
0:09:21 > 0:09:23about the wellbeing of their tenants.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25I wish everyone was the same.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28'Today, Richard's taking me to meet one landlord
0:09:28 > 0:09:30'who so determined to do things by the book,
0:09:30 > 0:09:32'she has called in the council herself
0:09:32 > 0:09:34'because she is worried a couple of her rooms
0:09:34 > 0:09:36'don't meet the minimum size requirements
0:09:36 > 0:09:37'set out by the planning department.'
0:09:37 > 0:09:41This is our welcoming student let for four students, so do come in.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Thank you very much.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45'I'm barely over the threshold.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47'It's already obvious that Kay-Lesley Hallam-Black
0:09:47 > 0:09:49'isn't your average landlord.'
0:09:49 > 0:09:53- How does it work here?- Just let me direct you to here.- Oh, OK.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57That's all my thank yous, look, which I'm very proud of.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00- I bet, I bet.- Because we put our heart and soul into this.
0:10:00 > 0:10:03'Shocked when her own daughter found herself
0:10:03 > 0:10:07'living in an unsafe student house while at university 14 years ago,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10'Kay-Lesley and her sister bought this place,
0:10:10 > 0:10:13'determined to give tenants a better experience.'
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Even early on, I can tell this is very much unlike
0:10:16 > 0:10:18the student accommodation that I lived in.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- Oh, it's unlike what I had. - It's spotless.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Well, thanks to the students, yeah.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26'And thanks to some very clear house rules.'
0:10:26 > 0:10:28We've got a very strict contract, I have to say.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31So, what are the things I wouldn't be allowed to do in your house?
0:10:31 > 0:10:33Well, you wouldn't be able to smoke,
0:10:33 > 0:10:36you'd have to take care of the property.
0:10:36 > 0:10:38You'd have to keep it clean.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40How would you know if I was or not?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43Cos I inspect. Oh, it's in the contract.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45We do three inspections a year.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48'The house rules seem to be doing the trick.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51'It's unlike any student house I've ever seen.'
0:10:51 > 0:10:54This is what you do not generally find in student accommodation, look.
0:10:54 > 0:10:59We have stationery, organised incredibly neatly,
0:10:59 > 0:11:02and a rich and plentiful supply of toilet roll.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04There is no blame to be apportioned.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06"Who used the last of the toilet roll?
0:11:06 > 0:11:09"Who used the last of it?" Look at it! They're never going to run out.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12This is a term's supply. It's incredible!
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Well, we try to think of everything. - Shoes, all in a row!
0:11:16 > 0:11:18'And, upstairs in the bedrooms,
0:11:18 > 0:11:21'there is a continuing theme of tidiness.'
0:11:21 > 0:11:24- Look at the... It's immaculate.- Yeah.
0:11:24 > 0:11:29Well, because they know that we're coming tomorrow to inspect.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- I honestly don't think I would qualify.- Do you not?- No.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34I think you're OK, you know.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37'Attention to detail is why Richard's here.
0:11:37 > 0:11:38'Like all good landlords,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41'Kay-Lesley tries to stay up-to-date with the regulations,
0:11:41 > 0:11:43'but she things a couple of her bedrooms
0:11:43 > 0:11:47'might be too small to comply with the council's licensing requirements
0:11:47 > 0:11:50'so she's asked Richard to come round and check.'
0:11:50 > 0:11:53So, what is your concern, then? What is it you need help with?
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Well, having expended over the years a lot of time and effort
0:11:56 > 0:11:58and money, I need the income from four tenants
0:11:58 > 0:12:00cos this is my pension pot now
0:12:00 > 0:12:05and these two smaller bedrooms don't quite come up to spec.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08'If the rooms don't comply with the planning department's
0:12:08 > 0:12:12minimum size requirement, Kay-Lesley and her sister could be facing
0:12:12 > 0:12:15'the prospect of losing half their rental income.'
0:12:15 > 0:12:19We try to be as reasonable as we can because there's some old houses here
0:12:19 > 0:12:21and we generally have a look
0:12:21 > 0:12:26and we try to assess each case on its own merits, really.
0:12:26 > 0:12:27So, there is some flexibility?
0:12:27 > 0:12:29There's a little bit of wiggle room
0:12:29 > 0:12:32- if it's a couple of inches here or there?- Yeah, definitely.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36'With so much at stake, size really matters.'
0:12:36 > 0:12:39- We need to find a smaller room and measure that.- OK.- Right.
0:12:42 > 0:12:45- OK, so this is a much smaller room. - Yeah.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48You've got a bed, desk, wardrobe.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52You've got all that you need and it's cosy.
0:12:52 > 0:12:54- Shall we measure it? - Yeah, but I don't think...
0:12:54 > 0:12:57I'm worried that the rug's going to be pulled out from under my feet
0:12:57 > 0:13:00and I'm told, "You can't do it," cos it won't work then.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02We can't rent this out to only two students.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04There's only one way to find out.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07'It's time to put Kay-Lesley out of her misery.'
0:13:07 > 0:13:09It should be 81 inches. I don't do centimetres.
0:13:09 > 0:13:142.115, bang on three metres, then.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Three by two, what is it...?
0:13:21 > 0:13:26- Three by 215.- So, work that out. I don't think it...- 645.- Is it?
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Oh, that's all right, then, cos it's got to be a minimum 641,
0:13:30 > 0:13:32so it just complies, doesn't it?
0:13:32 > 0:13:35What we specify within the licensing conditions in Gwynedd
0:13:35 > 0:13:38is that a single bedroom should have a minimum floor area
0:13:38 > 0:13:42- of 6.5 metres squared, which this achieves.- Thank you.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44'It's a fraction under, but Richard is happy
0:13:44 > 0:13:47'to make the most of that little bit of wriggle room.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49'And, after a quick measure of the other room,
0:13:49 > 0:13:52'Kay-Lesley should sleep more easily tonight.'
0:13:52 > 0:13:54Right, so the point of today was to establish
0:13:54 > 0:13:58- that these two smaller rooms are still...- Compliant.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01Compliant and you can let them a single rooms.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03To tenants, yes. To students, yes.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06Yeah, there's no problem with that, both of them.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10As long as it's let to one person, I've got no concerns.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12Oh, I'm very strict on that.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15I'm thinking of having a "no sex" clause in the contract,
0:14:15 > 0:14:17but I don't think that would be very popular, would it?
0:14:17 > 0:14:19I think human rights might be affected.
0:14:19 > 0:14:20We might clash there.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23'That might be taking regulations too far,
0:14:23 > 0:14:25'but Richard is only too glad to help someone
0:14:25 > 0:14:27'who clearly takes her responsibilities
0:14:27 > 0:14:30'to her tenants so seriously.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33We definitely appreciate good landlords like yourself,
0:14:33 > 0:14:35who are always in contact with us,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38who check in now and again or ask our advice
0:14:38 > 0:14:40cos we're always willing to come out.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43But, then again, there's always going to be the odd one
0:14:43 > 0:14:45that tries to escape us,
0:14:45 > 0:14:48tries not to license, tries to take advantage of the tenants
0:14:48 > 0:14:50and that's why we're here, really,
0:14:50 > 0:14:52to try and catch up with them all the time.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54I wish everyone was as conscientious as yourself.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57This is like a beautiful relationship, this is.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59- Well, I think it's important, isn't it?- It is.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01You're cheering me up no end, that's good to know.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06'Now, I've met my fair share of landlords, good and bad...'
0:15:06 > 0:15:08Lovely to meet you, thank you so much.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10- And you.- This is a really impressive house.
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Oh, you don't know how much that means to me
0:15:12 > 0:15:14and I'll pass that on to my sister.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16'..but I can honestly say I've never come across one
0:15:16 > 0:15:18'quite like Kay-Lesley.'
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- Very nice to meet you. - Thank you very much.
0:15:21 > 0:15:25What a remarkable landlady and what a remarkable property.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28In all the time that we've been doing this,
0:15:28 > 0:15:30I don't think I've met anyone
0:15:30 > 0:15:34who knew more about the law and compliance
0:15:34 > 0:15:37and how to keep her tenants happy. She was phenomenal.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41And, you know, I think her tenants should count themselves very lucky.
0:15:48 > 0:15:54'Back in Dudley and housing officers Lindon Morgan and David Bates
0:15:54 > 0:15:56'are on their way back to a problem property
0:15:56 > 0:15:59'that had them both in a state of shock.'
0:15:59 > 0:16:03- It's a death trap.- It's horrendous! Absolutely horrendous.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06I mean, there's no barrier at all.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10'Last time, despite negotiating some of the hurdles in their way,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12'they failed to get access to check
0:16:12 > 0:16:16'if anyone was living inside this clearly dangerous flat.'
0:16:16 > 0:16:19And there's no way at all, Mohammed, you can get a key?
0:16:19 > 0:16:20You can't phone him?
0:16:20 > 0:16:24- He's gone to work, hasn't he? - We can come back later in the week.
0:16:24 > 0:16:27'Well, they've now returned, hoping for better luck this time.'
0:16:27 > 0:16:32I'm concerned that there might be something worth seeing in the flat.
0:16:32 > 0:16:34I don't know why somebody with a key
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- wouldn't just let us go and have a look.- Suspicious.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Unless there's something to be concerned about.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44'The housing team are desperate for the shop manager, Mr Talib,
0:16:44 > 0:16:47'to allow them access to the property as they're worried that
0:16:47 > 0:16:50'if there are any tenants inside, they're being put in real danger.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54'But now it looks as if their access is being impeded again,
0:16:54 > 0:16:56'this time by the bins.'
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Tell him Lindon and David from the enforcement team came round.
0:17:00 > 0:17:04He knows. Basically, we're trying to get access upstairs.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07We'd like that cos we've been up, we've had a look at the roof
0:17:07 > 0:17:09and there's a lot of issues there.
0:17:09 > 0:17:13He knows that we'd like to gain access to the flat.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15'It turns out there's a dispute
0:17:15 > 0:17:18'about who has the right of entry into this alleyway
0:17:18 > 0:17:22'with the neighbouring properties using this space for their bins,
0:17:22 > 0:17:25'which is making access to this flat even more dangerous.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28'It's a separate issue that clearly needs dealing with,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31'but, right now, it's the risks posed to any tenants in the flat
0:17:31 > 0:17:34'that is top of Linden and David's list.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38'Unfortunately, progress here also appears blocked.'
0:17:38 > 0:17:40Nothing's changed since we were here before,
0:17:40 > 0:17:45although it was made very clear, I believe, that all this clutter
0:17:45 > 0:17:49on the roof was dangerous to anybody moving or working down below.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52It's not been moved. That's an easy fix. That's not difficult.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56It still appears that potentially somebody is using that flat.
0:17:56 > 0:17:58'But it seems staff in the shop
0:17:58 > 0:18:01'disagree with the housing team's priorities.'
0:18:01 > 0:18:03Why don't you move these bins here out of the way?
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Is that safe over there, those bins?
0:18:05 > 0:18:08Well, if I was renting that flat or that flat,
0:18:08 > 0:18:11- I would not be happy about that. - Yeah, I totally agree with you.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14You should really get this out of the way...
0:18:14 > 0:18:15'And, when Mr Talib appears,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18'it's clear he's in no mood to debate the flat either.'
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Listen, you need to sort this out before I do anything with the flat.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- Well...- It's not safe.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26For me to come up here and jump up there, it's not safe.
0:18:26 > 0:18:27- No, I agree, yeah. - I agree with that.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30Sort your problem out, then I can sort my problem out.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32I don't need no help, I know the problem.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34So we're crystal clear,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36once the bins and the staircase is sorted out,
0:18:36 > 0:18:39- you're prepared to let us into the property.- Yeah.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41If you had a key, you could let me in.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44I could go and have a look in there. 20 minutes, I'm out of the way.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48This is dangerous. Nobody is going to die by walking into a bin.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52- You know and I know it's dangerous. - Mmm, so you need to sort it out.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55You need to sort the problem of A out, then we go to B.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59When we first came, the bins weren't here so that wasn't an issue for us.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01But obviously there is an issue, of course.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05- There is an issue now because there is bins.- There you go.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07You've admitted it's dangerous so you need to sort it out.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09Yeah, everything is dangerous.
0:19:09 > 0:19:11But this is very dangerous. Somebody comes up here...
0:19:11 > 0:19:13This is very dangerous as well.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16'With tensions running high over the bin dispute,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19'it's clear that gaining access to the flat
0:19:19 > 0:19:21'is off the agenda again for today.
0:19:21 > 0:19:23'But Lindon and David are not going to let this one go,
0:19:23 > 0:19:26'as the argument continues on the street.'
0:19:26 > 0:19:29You said, unless these bins are moved,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32you're not going to give us access to the flat.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35In my opinion, it's safe. It's a hazard, but it's safe.
0:19:35 > 0:19:37The problem we've come about
0:19:37 > 0:19:40is the fact that you've got a flat up here
0:19:40 > 0:19:43and the only access to it is across a flat roof.
0:19:43 > 0:19:46The flat stays blocked off. No-one is going in there.
0:19:46 > 0:19:51If it is empty and it's not being used, that would be a better idea.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54I've got no access to go through the alleyway.
0:19:54 > 0:19:57'Mr Talib is promising that he's going to sort out the flat.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00'For the housing team, it IS a sort of progress,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03'although, after two failed attempts to get inside
0:20:03 > 0:20:05'and with the roof still a potential death trap,
0:20:05 > 0:20:07'it's not the result they were hoping for.'
0:20:07 > 0:20:11He's done nothing with that flat. He's not done anything at all.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15I'm going to prohibit the flat on the basis of the access to it.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18I believe people have been living in that property.
0:20:18 > 0:20:21They have got something to hide with regards to the flat
0:20:21 > 0:20:24and, OK, I know they're all arguing about the bins and that.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27The bins don't pose as much of a hazard
0:20:27 > 0:20:29as the flat above and access to it.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32'Later, when the team demand entry at the time,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34'Lindon needs backup.'
0:20:34 > 0:20:37OK, the situation has escalated somewhat.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40If we could have the presence of a police officer,
0:20:40 > 0:20:42we really would appreciate that.
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Defending our right to a safe place to live
0:20:49 > 0:20:53is the job of housing officers right across the UK.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56This is not really an acceptable way of leaving the property behind.
0:20:56 > 0:20:58Do you think?
0:20:58 > 0:21:01'I'm working alongside the men and women that do exactly that.'
0:21:01 > 0:21:03- Top marks.- Yes!
0:21:03 > 0:21:05I'm hitting the streets...
0:21:05 > 0:21:07Hello, can you open up?
0:21:07 > 0:21:09There's definitely somebody inside cos we see movement.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12'..finding out what's happening on the front line...'
0:21:12 > 0:21:16The cistern is in the bath. I don't know how they flush it.
0:21:16 > 0:21:18..and learning what it takes
0:21:18 > 0:21:21to make sure a house is fit to be called a home.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24I'm very shocked. This is ridiculous.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26They shouldn't have people living in here.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36'Back in Dudley, and the property where you need
0:21:36 > 0:21:38'to stand on a chair to get to the front door.
0:21:38 > 0:21:42'The council's housing team are desperate to check out the flat
0:21:42 > 0:21:44'in case there are people living there
0:21:44 > 0:21:46'and also to see if it's as dangerous inside
0:21:46 > 0:21:48'as it is on the outside.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51'Lindon Morgan is on the case again,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54'this time accompanied by housing officer Glen Cooper.'
0:21:54 > 0:21:56We're going back to a property today
0:21:56 > 0:21:59that we previously tried to gain access to
0:21:59 > 0:22:01on two previous occasions.
0:22:01 > 0:22:03My colleagues have notified us of some serious issues here,
0:22:03 > 0:22:05which really gives us little alternative
0:22:05 > 0:22:06but to get a warrant.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08So we'll go to the owners today
0:22:08 > 0:22:11and we'll request they give us permission to go in.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14If they don't, we'll go in with a locksmith.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17'Yep, they're not messing around this time.
0:22:17 > 0:22:19'After being refused entry not once but twice
0:22:19 > 0:22:21'by the shop manager, Mr Talib,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23'they've brought a locksmith along
0:22:23 > 0:22:25'to make sure they're getting inside.'
0:22:25 > 0:22:29- Hello, Mr Talib. You've been dealing with David Bates previously.- Yeah.
0:22:29 > 0:22:31He asked me to come today to execute a warrant
0:22:31 > 0:22:33- to get access to the property upstairs.- Yeah.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35So, we're here to tell you we've got a warrant to go in.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- You've got a key, I believe. - I've not got a key.- You haven't?- No.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41OK, so we got a locksmith here so he'll go in, change the locks,
0:22:41 > 0:22:44let us have access. We'll do an inspection
0:22:44 > 0:22:46and then we'll give you the key, all right?
0:22:46 > 0:22:48- You got the warrant?- I have, yeah.
0:22:48 > 0:22:50I'll see if I can get the key for you.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52Give me about ten minutes, yeah?
0:22:52 > 0:22:54'The warrant gives the housing team
0:22:54 > 0:22:56'legal permission to enter the property.
0:22:56 > 0:22:57'The only question now
0:22:57 > 0:22:59'is will they go in the easy way or the hard way?'
0:22:59 > 0:23:03Yeah, they've maintained that they haven't got the keys
0:23:03 > 0:23:05and, surprisingly, when we come along with a warrant,
0:23:05 > 0:23:09they've got a key or they can get access to a key,
0:23:09 > 0:23:13so we'll see how it pans out.
0:23:13 > 0:23:16'While Mr Talib attempts to locate the missing key...'
0:23:16 > 0:23:20Ten minutes, otherwise we will be going straight in, all right?
0:23:20 > 0:23:23'..Lindon has a little mission of his own.'
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Right, what I'm going to do
0:23:25 > 0:23:28so that we don't potentially have any runners,
0:23:28 > 0:23:31I'm going to go up and I'm going to actually keep a visual
0:23:31 > 0:23:33on the back of the property.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37'The bins are still here from the last visit.
0:23:37 > 0:23:40'So, unfortunately, is all the rubbish on the roof
0:23:40 > 0:23:42'and the evidence of potential tenants.'
0:23:42 > 0:23:44Well, there's signs that some things have been moved.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47There's a cooker there, signs someone has been cooking something.
0:23:47 > 0:23:52There's a pot in that one. I haven't seen any sign of life.
0:23:52 > 0:23:54We won't really know until we get in.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58'With the missing key still missing,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01'the team decide to take matters into their own hands.'
0:24:01 > 0:24:05- Hello?- Is anybody here, Mr Talib?- No-one.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12'They guys are finally inside, but it doesn't take long
0:24:12 > 0:24:15'before their investigation is hampered once again.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17- They're personal papers there. - Right, call the police.
0:24:17 > 0:24:20- This is personal papers!- Call the police.- These are personal papers.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23I was in the property, we noticed some correspondence
0:24:23 > 0:24:26so I went to take some photographs of the correspondence
0:24:26 > 0:24:27to see details of occupiers.
0:24:27 > 0:24:29As soon as I unfolded the correspondence,
0:24:29 > 0:24:30it was snatched away from me.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32At that point, I decided to call the police
0:24:32 > 0:24:34because obviously he is not allowing us
0:24:34 > 0:24:35to carry out our inspection.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38'With the team feeling they are being obstructed in their duty,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42'they have no option but to get the police involved.'
0:24:42 > 0:24:46They're stopping us from entering certain rooms. Yeah.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49And any evidence that we'd like to look at, he's taking,
0:24:49 > 0:24:50removing from the property.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53'Mr Talib is hastily emptying the flat.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55SIREN WAILS 'The police are on the way,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58'but the guys have to do their best to preserve the scene.'
0:24:58 > 0:25:00There's clothes, there's food,
0:25:00 > 0:25:02there's a family picture on the wall.
0:25:02 > 0:25:05It's obviously being used as accommodation, there's no question.
0:25:05 > 0:25:07If they're suggesting the clothing that is in there,
0:25:07 > 0:25:11the suitcases and the shoes and the food is theirs,
0:25:11 > 0:25:14it's quite suspicious that, as soon as we've gone in,
0:25:14 > 0:25:17they've gone in and started taking all the clothing
0:25:17 > 0:25:19and all the suitcases out.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22'The police are still yet to arrive
0:25:22 > 0:25:25'and the evidence is disappearing fast.
0:25:25 > 0:25:27'The team need to take action
0:25:27 > 0:25:29'because tempers are starting to flare.'
0:25:29 > 0:25:31We'll secure this until the police come.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34The situation has escalated somewhat since our last call.
0:25:34 > 0:25:38If we could have the presence of a police officer,
0:25:38 > 0:25:39we really would appreciate that.
0:25:39 > 0:25:44'The police arrive. Maybe now the team can make some progress.'
0:25:45 > 0:25:47I'm just going to go down to bring them in.
0:25:47 > 0:25:48Oof!
0:25:48 > 0:25:50'And there we go -
0:25:50 > 0:25:54'Lindon has illustrated the very reason for the council's visit here.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58'This property offers huge dangers to anyone staying inside
0:25:58 > 0:26:01'and that's why the team are so desperate to get in there.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05'After at last being allowed to conduct a search,
0:26:05 > 0:26:08'Lindon and Glen are confident they've seen enough to take action.'
0:26:08 > 0:26:10We're going to serve a prohibition on it.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13That means you're not allowed to use it for residential purposes.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15If it's not being used, then you haven't got a problem.
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- OK.- That's it, OK.
0:26:17 > 0:26:19'It might have taken them a few goes,
0:26:19 > 0:26:22'but it looks like the housing team's persistence has paid off.'
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Whilst on the property, we noted there were two double beds,
0:26:25 > 0:26:29one single bed in the two-bedroom first-floor flat,
0:26:29 > 0:26:30fresh food, shoes, belongings...
0:26:30 > 0:26:34So we will definitely go for prohibition on the property.
0:26:39 > 0:26:40After their last visit,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43the council did place a prohibition order on the property,
0:26:43 > 0:26:47preventing it being used as residential accommodation.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Although they believe the flat is now empty,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51they will be continuing to make checks
0:26:51 > 0:26:53to ensure it stays that way.
0:26:53 > 0:26:55The dispute with the bins is being dealt with
0:26:55 > 0:26:58as a private legal matter between Mr Talib
0:26:58 > 0:27:00and the owner of the restaurant next door.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06'In Newham, East London,
0:27:06 > 0:27:09'the challenge of housing everyone who needs a home
0:27:09 > 0:27:11'is a particularly difficult one
0:27:11 > 0:27:14'as our nation's capital city can prove a magnet
0:27:14 > 0:27:16'for those looking for work, education
0:27:16 > 0:27:18'or simply a new start in life.
0:27:18 > 0:27:21'But, with so many people looking for a roof over their head,
0:27:21 > 0:27:23'there's a temptation for landlords
0:27:23 > 0:27:25'to squeeze into their properties
0:27:25 > 0:27:27'a few more people than is legal or safe.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30'I'm with housing officers Christine Lyons and James Burton,
0:27:30 > 0:27:33'who are worried that this address might be doing just that.'
0:27:33 > 0:27:36I don't like it when they don't take the plastic off
0:27:36 > 0:27:38the front of the UPVC.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41'This property is supposed to be a family home,
0:27:41 > 0:27:44'not separate dwellings, so we need to be on the lookout
0:27:44 > 0:27:46'for any evidence that these rooms
0:27:46 > 0:27:47'are being used as individual bedsits.'
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Oh, hello, nice to meet you. I'm Christine Lyons.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55I'm from Newham Council planning. Can we just pop in and have a look?
0:27:55 > 0:27:57Is that all right?
0:27:57 > 0:27:59'Straight away, we find some important clues
0:27:59 > 0:28:02'that all is not as it should be behind the front door.'
0:28:02 > 0:28:05- And you live in here on your own? - Yes.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08There's a couple of you living here. You lived in here long?
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Immediately as we come in the front door,
0:28:10 > 0:28:13there is a gentleman who seems to be sharing this room
0:28:13 > 0:28:14with another gentleman.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18He's got all his food arranged on top of his wardrobe,
0:28:18 > 0:28:21which gets to be a depressing sight, you know,
0:28:21 > 0:28:25because it means everything is taking place in the room.
0:28:25 > 0:28:27It's not a shared space.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30This house is another carve-up, basically.
0:28:31 > 0:28:34'With two guys crammed into that one small bedroom,
0:28:34 > 0:28:37'it's possible there's some serious overcrowding in this house.
0:28:37 > 0:28:42'The kitchen might offer up some idea of just how bad things are.'
0:28:43 > 0:28:45Yeah.
0:28:45 > 0:28:46We're going to the kitchen,
0:28:46 > 0:28:51which shows all the signs of being heavily used by a number of people.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54What have we got here? OK, yeah.
0:28:54 > 0:28:58So, we've got a cleaning rota for the kitchen and the stairs
0:28:58 > 0:29:03and, on it, we've got eight different names on that,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06which is always a good indication of just how many people there are,
0:29:06 > 0:29:10but then, as we go down here, I find these interesting,
0:29:10 > 0:29:12the notes that the housemates leave for each other
0:29:12 > 0:29:17or sometimes it's the landlord, saying you must clean after you use.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20They're doing their best to try and keep the place clean,
0:29:20 > 0:29:24but it still very quickly descends into the sort of place
0:29:24 > 0:29:28where you look around and it's pretty grim wherever you look.
0:29:28 > 0:29:32Everything's sticky to the touch - the floor, all the surfaces.
0:29:32 > 0:29:36Nothing is really getting cleaned very well. I mean, look at this.
0:29:36 > 0:29:37Look at that, there!
0:29:39 > 0:29:42'And it's not just cleanliness that's an issue here.'
0:29:42 > 0:29:44I don't know what's happened here.
0:29:44 > 0:29:47Look, you can see that at some point here, there's been a leak
0:29:47 > 0:29:52from upstairs, so where these guys sit to eat,
0:29:52 > 0:29:55there must have been a ceiling cave-in at some point.
0:29:55 > 0:30:01All the plaster would have come down where they're eating. It's grim.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Out the back door.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07'The worrying lack of safety continues outside, too.'
0:30:07 > 0:30:08God, as we come out
0:30:08 > 0:30:14through this really, really shonky lean-to, which is...
0:30:17 > 0:30:19What do you think of that?
0:30:19 > 0:30:20It's got a door there,
0:30:20 > 0:30:23but I think the only purpose of the door is to hold the lean-to up.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26'It's clear the house is already bursting at the seams,
0:30:26 > 0:30:29'but shockingly we discover this hasn't stopped the landlord
0:30:29 > 0:30:31'from trying to fit even more people into the property.'
0:30:31 > 0:30:35- Well, there are shoes outside... - It's definitely lived in.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38'There's a building in the garden and, worse,
0:30:38 > 0:30:40'it looks like there could be people living inside.'
0:30:40 > 0:30:44- DOG BARKS There's a dog.- Yeah.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50- It's stopped barking. - There's a bathroom there.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53- The windows are open.- Hello?
0:30:55 > 0:30:58- There are bunk beds, look. - They've got bunk beds.- Yeah.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00This is one of those structures.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02This has not been thrown up overnight
0:31:02 > 0:31:05or a quick conversion of the garage or anything like that.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08- This has been purpose built to house people here.- Yeah.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10'But a squint over the garden wall
0:31:10 > 0:31:13'tells us others have had the same idea.'
0:31:15 > 0:31:19If you look along the back garden, everybody's got one.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21All of these properties
0:31:21 > 0:31:25seem to have additional living space in the back gardens.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27Yep. It could be just an add-on to the house.
0:31:27 > 0:31:31'Later on, I discover that living OUTSIDE this house
0:31:31 > 0:31:34'might have been a sensible choice.'
0:31:34 > 0:31:38It's grim in here and a bit grey and a bit mouldy.
0:31:38 > 0:31:41It's not going to be a good start to your day.
0:31:44 > 0:31:48'They say three of the most stressful things in life
0:31:48 > 0:31:51'are bereavement, divorce and moving house
0:31:51 > 0:31:53'so imagine what it's like if you find yourself
0:31:53 > 0:31:55'facing two of them at the same time.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57'In Stevenage,
0:31:57 > 0:32:00'housing officer Lisa Ashdown is helping a council tenant
0:32:00 > 0:32:02'who's coping with a bereavement,
0:32:02 > 0:32:06'which also means he has to move out of the family home.'
0:32:06 > 0:32:10I'm off to carry out a viewing for a young man
0:32:10 > 0:32:13who we've served a notice to quit,
0:32:13 > 0:32:19due to his mother passing away very recently.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22'The sudden loss of his mum just a few months ago
0:32:22 > 0:32:24'from a heart attack
0:32:24 > 0:32:28'came as a complete shock for 22-year-old Harry.'
0:32:28 > 0:32:30I went to work one day and got a phone call about half two,
0:32:30 > 0:32:36saying that they were working on my mum. She was in cardiac arrest.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38The night before, she was fine.
0:32:38 > 0:32:40There was nothing wrong with her, no heart problems.
0:32:40 > 0:32:42It just came on one day.
0:32:42 > 0:32:48She was 49 so, yeah, it was quite a young age.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49'To add to Harry's grief,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52'he's having to move out of the family home
0:32:52 > 0:32:54'because there's huge pressure on the council
0:32:54 > 0:32:57'to provide accommodation for families.'
0:32:57 > 0:32:59He was in a two bedroom house,
0:32:59 > 0:33:02which is classed as family-sized accommodation
0:33:02 > 0:33:04and it's too big for his needs
0:33:04 > 0:33:11so he's been offered a one-bedroom flat, which is better suited.
0:33:11 > 0:33:16I'm off to meet him now so he can take a look at it and, hopefully,
0:33:16 > 0:33:19he'll be happy with it and he'll accept it
0:33:19 > 0:33:22and we can get it let to him.
0:33:22 > 0:33:24'Now he's on his own, Harry can't stay where he is.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27'But as he already lives in a council property
0:33:27 > 0:33:29'and he's the immediate family of a tenant who's passed away,
0:33:29 > 0:33:33'he does have the right to be rehoused by the council.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36'Under the terms of the Housing Act 1985,
0:33:36 > 0:33:38'if the sole tenant of a property dies,
0:33:38 > 0:33:42'their partner or a close relative can apply to inherit their tenancy.
0:33:42 > 0:33:46'But if the council does allow the tenancy pass on,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48'it doesn't automatically give family members the right
0:33:48 > 0:33:51'to carry on living in the same property.
0:33:51 > 0:33:55'Instead, the council can offer them alternative accommodation
0:33:55 > 0:33:57'if their property is better suited to the needs
0:33:57 > 0:34:01'of other applicants on the housing register.
0:34:01 > 0:34:04'Although the move is going to be hard for Harry,
0:34:04 > 0:34:06'he's trying to stay positive.
0:34:06 > 0:34:08It's been stressful trying to do it by myself,
0:34:08 > 0:34:10but I've got support and stuff.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15It makes you realise life is too short, so just crack on with it.
0:34:15 > 0:34:18'And Lisa is hoping she's found the perfect place for him.
0:34:18 > 0:34:21'She just has to hope that Harry agrees.'
0:34:21 > 0:34:23- Good afternoon. Harry?- Yep.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27- Hello, I'm Lisa.- Nice to meet you. - OK, just bear with me one moment.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29Come in!
0:34:32 > 0:34:35OK. Right, I don't know where you want to start.
0:34:35 > 0:34:38'Taking on your first home is daunting at the best of times,
0:34:38 > 0:34:41'so Harry's brought friend Chloe along for moral support.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43'First stop, the kitchen.'
0:34:43 > 0:34:45It's pretty decent.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48I know it's not the most up-to-date kitchen,
0:34:48 > 0:34:53- but we deem it as serviceable so, you know...- Yeah, that's fine, yeah.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55'It's a promising start.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58'And, next door, there's an unexpected feature
0:34:58 > 0:35:00'which Lisa think is a real bonus
0:35:00 > 0:35:02'for someone setting up home for the first time.'
0:35:02 > 0:35:04- Living room.- Living room.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08And some nice person's left the carpet
0:35:08 > 0:35:11so that's an expense you won't incur.
0:35:11 > 0:35:15- Very spacious.- Yeah, it's a nice size, isn't it?
0:35:15 > 0:35:17'Getting your own place can be an expensive business.
0:35:17 > 0:35:19'With everything else he's had to deal with,
0:35:19 > 0:35:23'not having to buy carpet will be one less thing to worry about.'
0:35:23 > 0:35:25- We'll go and find the bedroom. - All right.
0:35:28 > 0:35:32- Yeah, it's nice here. - Not a bad size, is it? Double.
0:35:32 > 0:35:35Yeah, nice double bed. A little bedside cabinet. Storage.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38A double wardrobe. Look at that.
0:35:40 > 0:35:42- Get my trainers all up there. - Your trainers?
0:35:42 > 0:35:44- How many pairs of you got? - I've got quite a lot.
0:35:44 > 0:35:46'It's a good sign.
0:35:46 > 0:35:48'Harry's already starting to picture himself living here
0:35:48 > 0:35:52'and he might even have a few friends to help him redecorate.'
0:35:52 > 0:35:55- What are you like at painting? - Yeah, I'm all right.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58My brother is a decorator as well, so...
0:35:58 > 0:36:03So you'll get this painted and sorted out in no time.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06And the more people that come in as well, the quicker.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08- Yeah.- A painting party.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12- Yeah.- Can you paint?- Yeah, I can paint.- You're all right, then.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14Give her a paintbrush!
0:36:14 > 0:36:18'Clearly, there's no shortage of willing volunteers on hand
0:36:18 > 0:36:21'to help Harry settle in and, with one more room to see,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24'it looks like Lisa may have found him the perfect place.'
0:36:24 > 0:36:25I'm in a two-bedroom house
0:36:25 > 0:36:29- and this bathroom's bigger than the one I'm in now.- Really?
0:36:29 > 0:36:31- Yeah, a lot bigger.- Good, good.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33A bit more room and space in here
0:36:33 > 0:36:35so it is quite a large and spacious flat, actually.
0:36:35 > 0:36:37- OK. You happy with that?- Yeah.
0:36:37 > 0:36:38'The tour is over.
0:36:38 > 0:36:40'Time to find out what Harry thinks.'
0:36:40 > 0:36:43So, Harry, what do you think?
0:36:43 > 0:36:46- Yeah, I'll take it, yeah. - Yeah?- I'm happy with that.
0:36:46 > 0:36:50- I think it's lovely.- Yeah, you happy?- Yeah, so I'll take it.
0:36:50 > 0:36:56Yeah, OK, I just need you to sign some paperwork, OK?
0:36:56 > 0:36:59'After the double blow of losing his mum and his home
0:36:59 > 0:37:03'all in the space of a few months, at least now Harry has the security
0:37:03 > 0:37:06'of knowing he won't have to worry about having a roof over his head.'
0:37:06 > 0:37:10- Right, lovely. Thanks ever so much. - Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:37:10 > 0:37:12- Take care, bye.- Bye!
0:37:12 > 0:37:14'And Lisa couldn't be happier with the outcome.'
0:37:14 > 0:37:19It was just nice to see somebody appreciate the little flat
0:37:19 > 0:37:21and he had a smile on his face and he was quite happy.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24It'll give him a good start.
0:37:24 > 0:37:28He's got some painting to do, but, generally,
0:37:28 > 0:37:31he can just move in to the property.
0:37:31 > 0:37:36He's happy, I'm happy and he's going to be starting
0:37:36 > 0:37:42a new life in a new flat so, yeah, I'm really, really pleased, yeah.
0:37:43 > 0:37:47'Just over a month later and Harry has settled in.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50'After everything he's had to cope with since the loss of his mum,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53'he's getting the chance to enjoy a bit of stability again.'
0:37:53 > 0:37:55It's been quite a couple of mad months
0:37:55 > 0:37:58with my mum and stuff like that.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00I've still had to sort things out on that side.
0:38:00 > 0:38:01It has been quite stressful.
0:38:01 > 0:38:05I mean, obviously, I'm gradually still trying to unload boxes.
0:38:05 > 0:38:08'But he has made a start on the decorating.'
0:38:08 > 0:38:10Obviously, this is the hall.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13I haven't actually changed anything except for the paint
0:38:13 > 0:38:15and that's all that's really done here.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18This is my room.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21It's not the tidiest, being that I've only just moved in
0:38:21 > 0:38:23so I'm still trying to do stuff here,
0:38:23 > 0:38:25but it's all been painted in here.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27I've got new wallpaper up here.
0:38:27 > 0:38:29'And his plans to turn the place
0:38:29 > 0:38:31'into a home of his own don't stop there.'
0:38:31 > 0:38:34Just out here, obviously, flooring and stuff like that
0:38:34 > 0:38:37I need to change and just have little fixtures and fittings.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41The blinds, obviously, I'm just waiting for them to be delivered.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43And then just my kitchen and bathroom, hopefully,
0:38:43 > 0:38:46I want to change it so I can just tile it all,
0:38:46 > 0:38:47new floor, new bath and stuff.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49Just try and change it all, you know,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52and just make it more homely, you know, than what it is now.
0:38:52 > 0:38:54It's coming along.
0:38:54 > 0:38:56'Hopefully, it'll be the new start he needs.'
0:39:01 > 0:39:04'Here in Newham, I'm with housing officers Christine Lyons
0:39:04 > 0:39:06'and James Burton investigating a house
0:39:06 > 0:39:09'that has something surprising at the bottom of the garden.'
0:39:09 > 0:39:12- They're bunk beds, look. - They've got bunk beds.- Yeah.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15'The property is supposed to be a family home
0:39:15 > 0:39:17'and not a series of individual bedsits,
0:39:17 > 0:39:19'but it's already clear there are too many people
0:39:19 > 0:39:21'living in too small a space
0:39:21 > 0:39:25'and that's resulted in some rather desperate measures.'
0:39:26 > 0:39:30- That's an outdoor shower and toilet room.- Down there.- What's that for?
0:39:30 > 0:39:33That must be for people in here.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39OK, let's go and find out what's going on upstairs.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43'Everything about this property is giving me the chills,
0:39:43 > 0:39:46'including the dodgy basement.'
0:39:46 > 0:39:49There is a very damp cellar down there full of bedding material.
0:39:49 > 0:39:52I don't think anyone's living down there.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Oh, God, the smell is really grim.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58OK, lets go and see what's happening.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59'With conditions like this,
0:39:59 > 0:40:02'it's a wonder that anyone can be happy here.'
0:40:02 > 0:40:04- How long have you been here? - I'm in here five and a half years.
0:40:04 > 0:40:05- OK.- I'm studying
0:40:05 > 0:40:09and I've just completed my graduation from university.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11And this house, do you like this house?
0:40:11 > 0:40:14Not bad, not good, to be honest.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15It's really hard to get a house,
0:40:15 > 0:40:19- especially if you say, "I'm a student."- Yeah.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22'Property is so hard to come by in London,
0:40:22 > 0:40:24'it's no surprise the tenant didn't want to risk
0:40:24 > 0:40:26'showing his face on camera.'
0:40:26 > 0:40:27Nice to meet you.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30'It's amazing what you'll put up with if you have to.'
0:40:30 > 0:40:32Let's have a little look in the bathroom.
0:40:33 > 0:40:35Hmm, OK.
0:40:37 > 0:40:43It's a bit grim in here and a bit grey and a bit mouldy.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45It's not going to be a good start to your day.
0:40:45 > 0:40:49'But no-one should have to put up with conditions like this.'
0:40:49 > 0:40:52Oh, my God!
0:40:52 > 0:40:55Have you got any smoke alarms in here in the house?
0:40:55 > 0:40:58There's nothing in the house at all?
0:40:58 > 0:41:02There is no emergency lighting in this house, nothing?
0:41:03 > 0:41:04This carpet's really dangerous.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07This bit here, you could go straight down the stairs
0:41:07 > 0:41:09if you're not a little bit careful.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Just be careful, that's all.
0:41:12 > 0:41:15'I think we've all seen enough to know this house
0:41:15 > 0:41:17'is in serious need of repair.'
0:41:18 > 0:41:21So, with that lot, we have now got a piece of work to do,
0:41:21 > 0:41:22- haven't you, James?- Yes!
0:41:22 > 0:41:26That involves looking at all those addresses and seeing, one,
0:41:26 > 0:41:28when those buildings were put up and, secondly,
0:41:28 > 0:41:30then perhaps sending them a letter,
0:41:30 > 0:41:33asking can we come and have a look at your outbuilding
0:41:33 > 0:41:34and see how it's used.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37The one that we've looked at today does look to be historic
0:41:37 > 0:41:40so it looks as if it's been there for more than four years,
0:41:40 > 0:41:42therefore we can't touch the building itself,
0:41:42 > 0:41:46but the use would seem to be more recent so the use we can deal with.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48So we will actually look at moving the bathroom
0:41:48 > 0:41:51and the living accommodation from that
0:41:51 > 0:41:53and putting it just back to an ordinary store shed.
0:41:53 > 0:41:54Well, there are two things.
0:41:54 > 0:41:56The planning side of things,
0:41:56 > 0:42:00in terms of looking at the use of that house currently,
0:42:00 > 0:42:05but much more immediate than that is thinking about the guys in there
0:42:05 > 0:42:07and what needs to be done to protect them.
0:42:07 > 0:42:11I mean, I would get certainly an assessment done there
0:42:11 > 0:42:14of the fire protection that's required, looking at fire doors,
0:42:14 > 0:42:18the smoke detectors, emergency lighting,
0:42:18 > 0:42:20looking at the damp in that place.
0:42:20 > 0:42:22It seems not to be adequately heated,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25it seems to have too many people in there as well
0:42:25 > 0:42:27and the conditions in the kitchen are horrendous
0:42:27 > 0:42:29and then we need to start looking
0:42:29 > 0:42:33- at the outbuilding with the planning head on.- Yep.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37The use seems quite clearly to be residential,
0:42:37 > 0:42:39which is not planned, not permitted.
0:42:39 > 0:42:42But, from an enforcement point of view,
0:42:42 > 0:42:44we'll be taking pretty quick action on that
0:42:44 > 0:42:46and getting a notice on it as quick as we can.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49After filming, the council issued an enforcement notice,
0:42:49 > 0:42:52ordering the landlord to change the property back
0:42:52 > 0:42:54into a single family dwelling.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56Over the last few years,
0:42:56 > 0:43:00Newham has conducted a survey of all outbuildings in the borough.
0:43:00 > 0:43:03They reckon that many of the outbuildings we saw
0:43:03 > 0:43:05would already have been investigated.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10That's it for today.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14Join me next time on the front line with Britain's housing officers.