London: Britain launched a major crackdown on landlords — many of them of Indian origin — who construct illegal extensions to their houses dubbed as “beds in sheds” and rent them out to illegal immigrants at extortionate prices in parts of London and elsewhere.
During a surprise visit recently to six such “beds in sheds” in Ealing, west London, two Ministers —Damian Green (Immigration) and Grant Shapps (Housing) —found 16 Indian illegal immigrants living there in what were described as “dangerous living conditions.”
Shapps described owners of the “beds in sheds” as “rogue landlords.”
Such recent reports have mostly identified the “tenants” as Indian citizens, who are in the country illegally, and turn to landlords of Indian origin with settled status to provide them shelter.
In the process, the “tenants” face exploitation and are unable to approach authorities due to their illegal immigration status.
Shapps said: “It’s simply unacceptable that people are living in squalid, unsafe accommodation provided by landlords more interested in a quick profit rather than their basic responsibilities.”
