Slough's hidden population in shanty town homes
1:48pm Fri 11th Dec 09:: written by Terry Pattinson
A hidden population of at least 2,000 people are living in about 1,000 dangerous 'garden sheds' across Slough, it was officially confirmed this week.
Council bosses have started cracking down on the greedy landlords who rent out sheds for at least £150 a week to mystery tenants.
The guilty landlords face fines of up to £20,000 and could face other criminal charges relating to health and safety, benefit fraud, income tax and council tax evasion.
The extent of the problem, growing steadily for about eight years, was revealed by council housing standards manager Keith Ford this week.
The worst four wards with inhabited sheds are Chalvey, Baylis, Central and Upton.
The 'sheds' - not all of them wooden shacks - feature in a series of aerial Google Earth photographs released by the council.
It shows one road - Wellesley Road in the town centre - with a shanty hut in almost every rear garden.The makeshift homes are fitted out with kitchen sinks, bathrooms, toilets and electricity, as well as satellite television, but the occupants are not registered for health or education.
Landlords wanting advice should call Mr Ford on 01753 875263 while anybody wanting to report illegal shed accommodation should call 01753 875570.
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