A Lenton couple are staying in their tiny converted garage – complete with its own kitchenette and bathroom – despite owning a five-bedroomed house next door.
Ilene and Leonard Jackson, whose permanent home is in Jamaica, eat and sleep in the tiny outbuilding whenever they visit Nottingham, saying they don’t want to uproot tenants staying in the main house or pay out on other accommodation.
“Instead of paying rent [on another property], we just stay here,” said Ilene.
“We don’t have any intention to live here, we come, sort out business and go. We’re not worried.”
But the couple could face an investigation into the whether their unusual accommodation is legal after Nottingham City Council inspected it on Tuesday.
A council spokesman confirmed staff visited the property, but said they could not discuss the Jackson’s case.
The main house is currently rented by five students via a letting agent, who say they had no idea the couple would be staying there.
The Jacksons admit they didn’t tell anyone that they were going to use their garage as a place to stay before they started converting it, but say they see their temporary home as harmless.
Leonard said: “I just buy the paint and did it, there was nothing great at all”
“Leonard should have told, but he was quiet and just did it,” added Ilene.
They often come to Nottingham so Leonard can sort his bank account and pension, with Ilene accompanying him.
“We know we’re going home in a month, it’s not a big thing,” said Leonard.
“It’s so cold here so we want to keep ourselves warm. They’ll [the council] charge us for a few months and we’re not fighting them.
“I’m an old man now, they’re not going to get much out of me.”
The couple were last in Notts until December, but went back to Jamaica until January 21.
The main house used to be a grocery shop owned by Leonard’s father, which they converted after his death.
“We’re not hiding,” said Ilene.
“If we were having any intentions of living here, Leonard would have to buy a house, we would buy a bungalow.”
Tom Roberts, a student who rents the house along with four others, said they only realised someone was staying there after they saw the couple walking back and forth into the garage.
“I’m a little confused as to what’s going on, I’m not particularly happy,” said Tom.
“I feel very uncomfortable with it, I don’t think people should be staying in garages.
“It just strikes me as particularly odd, the garage still looks like a garage, it still has a garage door, it still looks exactly like a garage.”
A Nottingham City Council spokesman said: “We’re unable to comment on this individual case but when we get complaints from members of the public about privately rented accommodation we take them very seriously and will investigate all allegations to see if there is any wrong doing.”
