At what point does a shed become rental accommodation.....

[WalkingDAway]

I work for a really large organisation (vague on purpose). We have a staff intranet which people use to moan about parking, sell things, lost property etc etc.

An advert came up the other day posted by a very senior member of staff offering a 'studio flat' to rent in their back garden. It is literally a large shed which has had flooring put down, a bare metal sink in the corner and a shower and toilet in the other corner.

He is asking for £650 a month for it

Is this even legal? What makes a flat a flat and not a shed....

Why haven't HR said anything? (like, you look like a sham landlord, probs best you take that down)

I would honestly make an anonymous report to the local council. Many are cracking down on rentals of "homes" which are not fit for habitation.
I got offered a similar shed similar by a letting agent who'd built in his own garden to rent, that was 13 years ago in East London, sadly it isn't a new thing.

I'm going to see if the advert is still there today and if it is then I will definitely consider reporting

I suppose if it is properly insulated, with appropriate facilities, it could be perfectly habitable, although I would be concerned about security.

However, this sort of thing would almost certainly need planning permission and probably has council tax due if it is self contained with kitchen and bathroom facilities, also may need to be registered with council as rental accommodation? And I would be surprised if these requirements have been met and council are happy.

I doubt it passes buildings regs and it would probably only have pp as ancillary to the main property.

My PILs have recently had a similar shed built in their back garden. In their case it is quite nice - it's heated, and has a bedroom (just big enough for a double bed and small wardrobe) and a small living room with a sofa, kitchen sink, fridge, kettle and toaster. There's also a tiny bathroom with toilet, sink and shower.
They're not planning to rent theirs out; they use it as guest accommodation because they frequently have guests staying overnight or for days at a time.
They contacted the council for planning permission and it was very straightforward and easy to get based on the fact that you couldn't reasonably rent the place out as an independent dwelling - it's reliant on the main house for proper kitchen facilities.
OP it sounds like your colleague has got similar planning permission (as there's also no working kitchen in his shed) but is not sticking to the terms if he's renting it as an independent dwelling.

I wouldn't hesitate to report this to the council. I seriously doubt it meets regulations.

Cross post with Lizs who put it FAR more succinctly!

Sounds like a 'gymbalow' to me!

It doesn’t sound legal

I would doubt council tax is being paid on it and so would ask the question - how much is the council tax on it? And yes rented sheds you do have to pay

Report to district council private housing section and they will make sure it is all above board or not. If people don’t report then these properties can’t be checked to make sure they are legal and safe

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-27994885

Thermal imaging is used to find these places - it’s pretty sad that people do this

Don’t see how it can be legal if the toilet is in the same room as the kitchen area 🤢. And as such he’s unlikely to declare it or pay tax on it.

Report his money grabbing arse.