A tenant of a Garston flat now has the "threat of homelessness" hanging over him after discovering his new residence never had planning permission.

Steve Stunt was attempting to have a phone line installed at the property in Crown Rise, when it emerged the flat was not listed on the Royal Mail database.

But after several communications with Watford Borough Council it became clear his landlord, St Albans-based JK Rudkin, had neglected to gain planning permission for his flat.

Steve, 48, said: "We all forget things from time to time - our keys, or to feed the cat, or a special date, but isn’t it odd that a builder with over 40 years experience forgot to apply for planning permission for this property?"

Steve signed a tenancy agreement with Oak Property Rentals, based in Bricket Wood, for the flat and moved in on November 1.

Watford Borough Council planning department is currently investigating the property and confirmed extra flats were built there without planning permission.

A spokesman from the planning team, Paul Baxter, said: "It appears that extra flat(s) have been built at Jewell Court, without planning permission and we are currently investigating the case.

"If the developer has applied for retrospective planning permission, the council will consider this in the normal way, against the policies of the development plan.

"If the extra flat(s) do not meet the council's planning policies and guidelines and are deemed to be unacceptable, the council will consider taking formal enforcement action to secure the removal of the flat(s).

"If this action would affect an existing tenant, the council would allow adequate time for any shorthold tenancy to run its course, usually six months, before enforcing any notice."

Steve said: "I am now waiting on a visit from the planning officer, as after seeing the property, its dimensions etc, they will be able to determine if it’s possible to grant retrospective planning permission.

"Sadly, until this is decided, I live in his nice new home with the worry of being made homeless hanging over me."

But the agency maintain the flat, which was a conversion, did not require planning permission and an early issue with House of Multiple Occupation registration was sorted out two months ago.

Wayne Farmer, manager of Oak Property Rentals, said the flat in question did not require planning permission as it was a conversion to a residence with a shared kitchen and not a new build.

He said: "The flat to which you refer is an HMO, house or flat in multiple occupation, e.g. one or more shared facilities, in this case the cooking facilities are shared.

"This move from C3 residential to C4 HMO does not require planning permission."