Homeowner who has lived on the same street for 50 years claims neighbour is renting next-door garage without authorisation to ‘nightmare tenants’ who are ‘making life hell by using his address for deliveries and late-night takeaways’
- Barnet Council is aware of issue and in the process of ‘undertaking legal action’
A homeowner who has lived on the same street for 50 years claims his neighbour is renting the next-door garage without authorisation to ‘nightmare tenants’.
Simon Saul, 77, who lives in Barnet, north London, claims the ‘illegal’ tenants have made his life ‘hell’ by using his address for deliveries and late-night takeaways.
He said his wife is also ‘very frightened’ by the garage dwellers, whom he claims ‘come and go as they please’, because neither he nor she ‘know where they have come from’.
Mr Saul claims the local council ruled the sublet was unauthorised and documents show an appeal over the ban was turned down in 2016. But the retiree claims the ruling was ignored and people are still living in the garage almost seven years later.
Barnet Council has confirmed that officials are aware of the matter and said it is in the process of ‘undertaking legal action’.
Simon Saul, 77, (pictured) who lives in Barnet, north London, claims his neighbour is renting the next-door garage without authorisation to ‘nightmare tenants’
Mr Saul claims the local council ruled the sublet was unauthorised and documents show an appeal over the ban was turned down in 2016. But the retiree claims the ruling was ignored and people are still living in the garage (pictured) almost seven years later
Mr Saul has lived on Vaughan Avenue since 1973 and said he first noticed people living in the garage next door in 2010.
‘It is stressful – we don’t know the people who are living next to us,’ he explained. ‘We are afraid as we don’t know where they have come from – they come and go as they please.
‘It is making our life hell, especially for my wife. She is very frightened as she doesn’t know who lives next door.’
After complaining to the council, Mr Saul claims it wasn’t until years later that action was taken. An initial enforcement decision was made in December 2015, which said an outbuilding had been used as a dwelling without planning permission.
A site visit was then made in September 2016 to assess the situation and an enquiry was opened, Mr Saul recalled. He alleged the occupants of the garage were then told they had to vacate the property.
He added: ‘When I first noticed people were living there, I did complain to the council but no action was taken.
‘After years, I got a knock on my door from the council. They said they were investigating the issue. The residents were given an eviction notice but it has not been adhered to.
‘The landlord appealed the decision and his appeal was rejected but people are still living there. The council haven’t done anything; the enforcement officer is not enforcing. It makes you think that the landlord is untouchable.
‘They are using my address for deliveries and late-night takeaways. They knock on my door and there is nothing I can do about it.’
Despite having lived next door for five decades, Mr Saul said he doesn’t see the landlord very often – but his wife Irit, 55, has spoken to him.
Mr Saul claims the ‘illegal’ tenants have made his life ‘hell’ by using his address for deliveries and late-night takeaways. The retiree put a note in his window (pictured) stating that his property is not 2A
Mr Saul said his wife is also ‘very frightened’ by the garage dwellers, whom he claims ‘come and go as they please’, because neither he nor she ‘know where they have come from’. His neighbour’s garage is pictured
The pair say they are scared in their own home and are being woken up in the middle of the night by junk food deliveries.
Mr Saul said: ‘Just last week there were people knocking on our door at 11pm to deliver food. The stress is keeping us awake, we were also being woken up at night with deliveries.
‘My wife has had a few words with the landlord, she was telling him what he is doing is wrong. Nothing has come of it, he is making money.’
Cllr Ross Houston is deputy leader of Barnet council and cabinet member for housing and regeneration. He said: ‘The council is aware of the matter relating to the use of the outbuilding at 2A Vaughan Avenue.
‘Our planning enforcement team is currently undertaking legal action to ensure that unauthorised residential use is ceased, and fixtures and fittings are removed from the outbuilding.’
The owner of the property was approached for comment but did not respond.
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