Allowing A Homeless Person To Doss Down In Garage - Legal?

[hc4361]

I have an integral garage with a shower and loo which is used for storage, not for garaging a car.
I have been letting a homeless person sleep in it if he rings my bell before 10pm. He has a shower and sleeps on a camp bed, is gone by 9am. No trouble to me or anyone else. He does not give me payment in any form.

A neighbour has threatened to report me to the council for this - am I breaking the law?

[Baldric]

We have a similar set up with a detached garage, ex service people only, papers checked. No problem if no money involved.

[wolf63]

I can't believe that anyone could be so petty as to report this to the council. Your neighbours may not agree with what you are doing but that is entirely their problem.

People are so confusing

[Calicogirl]

Tell your neighbour to get a soul. I can't imagine there being a problem, if the council come around just play it off as very occasional in bad weather :/

[hc4361]

Thanks all. It is a shame, he doesn't store any stuff in the garage nor cook or make any sort of noise. Hopefully he'll be able to carry on until he either moves on or gets a proper home.

Some people are just plain nasty

[Gizmonster]

Jeez ...... your neighbour really needs to get a life.

As already stated, as long as there's no money involved, I can't see there being a problem.
What's the difference between this and putting your friend up for a few days who's recently fallen on hard times??

[maggiebee]

You own the premises and are not charging anything. I really can't see any problem with this and feel your neighbour is very small minded. Call his bluff.

[Jackdaw33]

Even if there IS money involved I still can't see a problem. He's a temporary lodger.

[hc4361]

I think there would be a problem if I charged him 'rent' - the garage can't be classed as a habitable room, one reason being there is no opening window.

[Cloverjo]

I suppose a jobsworth from the council could say it’s a change of use of a building without planning permission.

Your neighbour is a fool, but you knew that already.

[andres]

Your neighbour is a heartless person but if it was me I would check all the rules and regs. for Council tax and Insurance before he reports you . Then at least you will be prepared.

[Baldric]

Our local council has been known to ring us and ask if they can send someone before now.

[marval]

What a mean neighbour, the person is not causing any trouble.

Well done to you, I can't see any legal problem with it.

[Baldric]

andres,
rules and regs and insurance all checked out and sorted.

[Mamyalynne]

hc, it's a sad situation but I fear you are right - if the Council did act on a tip off they may well pick up on whether the area is deemed safe to inhabit from a safety angle.

The trouble is too many people equate no roof over someone's head to mean they are a wrong 'un and that is wholly unfair.

[hc4361]

I'll speak to the council tomorrow.

[hereIam]

Your neighbour is a mean spirited person, but maybe it would be a good thing to involve the Council as they may ok it and that would be a huge blow to your miserable neighbour !

[andres]

Just a thought Baldric--you say a detached building but hc4361 has an integral garage that might,just might ,be classed as a bedroom if someone sleeps there.Best to get it checked.

[nailit]

hc,
well done you for this act of kindness. Why the hell someone would want to report you is beyond me.
My local council has been taking tents of homeless people during the recent cold weather and one man has died of hypothermia while sleeping in the cold.
The world has gone bloody mad with its selfish, uncaring attitudes towards the unfortunate.

Again, well done hc.

[Rockrose]

Oh my your not in Norfolk are you? My MIL has just reported her neighbor for doing the same thing!

[nailit]

//My MIL has just reported her neighbor for doing the same thing!//
What the hell is up with people nowadays???
Why are people so uncaring towards others?