This is 66 Wightman Road. In August the Landlord appealed to the Bristol Planning Inspectorate against the Local Authority Planning Department's ruling that it had been illegally converted into 10 flats without planning permission. The appeal was rejected and the Planning Inspector ruled that it must be re-instated. However, the lawyer for the Landlord claimed extra time would be needed to allow current tenants to find new digs. This was granted and the time set at 6 months not 3. So why is the Landlord using Paul Simon to advertise for new tenants now at £137 per week? [£1370 for ten units, so in the additional 3 months that's roughly £15000]. http://www.rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-27309089.html?...
Permalink Reply by VIX on October 20, 2009 at 10:39
Because they know how to play the law to their advantage, and the laws aren't effective enough.
How the hell do you cut a house that size into 10 bedsits? 66 Wightman Road I'd imagined to be a mansion!
Surely tougher laws are needed to tackle this kind of housing abuse?
Rather depressing really. They say that there is nothing LEGALLY wrong with the landlord continuing to advertise the flats, even though this contradicts the reasons given in applying for the 6 month variation on appeal. The only action they can take is if he continues to rent out the flats once this 6 month period is over and/or if fails to comply with the notice given to carry out remedial works on the property.
So if the landlord is smart and makes sure that all this is done within the six month period he walks away with 3 months extra rent for no effort. Clever ...
Do the advertisements inform prospective tenants that they may well be homeless again in a short time because of the Planning Inspector's decision? Advertising standards authority, trading standards?
Are any of the current lets being used by any local authority housing departments or associations?