Beds In Sheds

[237SJ]

I`ll be the first to admit that I have seen it all and it takes quite a lot to shock me but tonight I went into Central London via Houslow and whilst sitting on the upper deck of the bus, I could clearly see all of the constuctions at the bottom of the gardens that pass for accommodation. There weren`t just one or two - whole streets of houses had them. They were all of similar constuction and size (apparently if they are within a certain size, planning permission is not required). I could see that they were occupied as there were lights on inside. The rents are at least £500 per month which is nice little (undeclared) earner for the householder and a squalid existance for the tennants. Makes you wonder why it is so hard for the authorities do anything about them when they are so glaringly visible.

[ummmm]

There was a programme on it. Quite shocking how many they cram in there.

[237SJ]

Yes ummm - I saw a programme about it on BBC World - probably the same one. I do know that someone took some thermal images from an aircraft over Southall and just about every house had a shed with people living in it. God knows what their sanitary provision is as they are obviously not on the mains.

[ummmm]

Hose pipe and slop bucket.

It's sad that most of them come here to try for a better life...

[Dee Sa]

I blame the local authorities for turning a blind eye , they could stamp it out if they wanted to.

[ummmm]

What can the authorities do if they don't know they are there? I think many are here illegally so have to put up and shut up.

The documentary I watched was shocking. Squalid conditions and seriously dangerous living conditions.

[emmie]

they are illegal to rent out, and if the council finds out they are fined, however as you can see it is hard to just steam into someone's home and say i want to see who you are accommodating, this matter has been known about for a long time. you may be able to see them from a top deck of a bus, not sure how you can tell though if the sheds are being lived in?

[emmie]

interesting if disturbing reading

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2346759/Council-uses-spy-plane-thermal-imaging-cameras-catch-immigrants-living-illegally-garden-sheds.html

[DrFilth]

lots of workers going down to london share places due to the high rents down there. one of the lads from a pub i use to go in worked down there and he shared an old caravan that was down the bottom of a garden. think there was about six of them in a caravan made for two.

if he did not work he would be a benefit scumbag, he works and pays tax etc and has to rough it for work . sometimes you just can't win

[emmie]

perhaps it's that the landlords are doing this illegally, and they are putting these people at risk, not just unsanitary conditions, you wouldn't house a dog in there surely? it isn't a case of you can't win, they are charging these people a small fortune to live in a shed, so they are at fault.
i was watching a piece about UK fruit farms and some of the labour force, eastern Europeans living in caravans crammed in like sheep, not good, but they at least get paid a fair wage, much of which seems to be sent home to their families

[emmie]

they are likely housing illegals, so they are not necessarily working?
and if they are and it's all above board, why do they not find a room to rent instead of a shed. Blame the landlords who are making a tidy sum out of others difficult situation, illegal too boot.

[emmie]

being exploited by traffickers in their own countries, they are caught in a sort of no man's land.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-17183171

[DrFilth]

emmie loads do it , it is not just in london