what would the neighbours say?

[Mich the Tester]

Sorry Mitch you are talking round spherical objects. They are relevant, however I suspect the situation is so bad (6000 properties) they want to keep quiet about the residents immigration status.

No, those stories are saying some of the people in the slums are illegal immigrants but generally 'people on low incomes', which includes illegal immigrants. You choose to focus on the illegal immigrants while I'm wondering how we've reached the state that people, quite aside from their immigration status, are once again living in slums in Britain and politicians just whinge about them not paying tax.

[vetran]

my personal fix would be to make the government managed deposit system the key for both the Landlord and the tenant.

Landlords register and supply the relevant certificates (like the Insurance / MOT database). Tenants can only rent when they have a valid online ID. Both pay a ~ £30 annual fee for the pleasure. Any Landlord who bypasses the system can go to jail.

Rent & costs would be obvious so tax revenue could be identified.

Can also register property addresses so sub letting council houses would also be illegal and easy to punish.

Should take about a week to put together.

[Mich the Tester]

It'll be interesting to see what the council do next. Will they go around all 6000 sheds and investigate them? Will they be building a little camp for all the illegal immigrants while they're being checked out? Will they provide housing for those who aren't illegal? Will they all move to sheds in Swindon?

Wouldn't moving them to Swindon would fall under the 'cruel and unusual punishment' provisions of UN treaties?

[vetran]

James Bolt, the council's planning enforcement officer.

"Quite often you will get illegal immigrants – the reason being that these properties go unnoticed, and you are not going to complain about your conditions if you are here illegally."

yep, its really all people on housing benefit that have had the property inspected and the Landlords have supplied Safety certificates and the relevant insurance as every social landlord has to.

Its in slums because there is demand and the government /council have failed to act.

'Super Sheds' (block built non temporary buildings) have sprung up across Slough and the planning authority failed to act, now some are renting them illegally, their most likely clients are those that are not able to rent legally or get help with their rents, oh that's right its the illegals.

[vetran]

*There's nice big holes that keep them well ventilated instead.

Ah open plan and Eco friendly cooling. We will have to put the rent up.

[Mich the Tester]

Got a couple of old pigsties in Neath if anyone's looking for somewhere to kip for a while.

No windows or doors*, you can just about stand up in the one, but I'm afraid it's crouch down in the other.

Very reasonable rates.

<ZG in "Rising Damp? It's all flipping damp">


*There's nice big holes that keep them well ventilated instead.

I can cope with all that. I went to boarding school in a damp, cold, drafty old building with knackered old hospital beds and floorboards that creaked every time Parsons-Ogilvy minor farted and a nasty smell of wee emanating from Fotheringhaugh major's top bunk. It's the 'Neath' bit that might put me off. Yes, before you ask, I've visited Neath.

[vetran]

Wouldn't moving them to Swindon would fall under the 'cruel and unusual punishment' provisions of UN treaties?

So Swindon is worse than Slough?

[Mich the Tester]

So Swindon is worse than Slough?

I'm with John Betjeman on the subject of Slough. Staines is arguably worse though, but at least it has an honest name to warn people off.

[Alias]

I'm with John Betjeman on the subject of Slough. Staines is arguably worse though, but at least it has an honest name to warn people off.

to be fair, most people here call it "Sluff"

[tranceporter]

Swindon is fine if you understand the concept of roundabouts. I mean seriously
I am a daily spectator to people going zig zag on the magic roundabout.. feel for those poor blokes.