Landlord Rented Out Sheds to Vulnerable Families

Vulnerable families are being charged £80 per week to live in squalid garden sheds.

Housing officers found parents and children living inside cramped wooden huts which had been erected next to a semi-detached home in Salford.

Salford council say the families were being charged hundreds of pounds per month to live in the 'rooms,' each less than 10m sq each.

Town hall bosses have now ordered the structure – thought to be a converted garage or shed – to be demolished, and have helped the families to find proper homes.

Salford housing chief Paul Longshaw said he was 'disgusted and furious' at the discovery. He said:

"The bedsits may have been converted from a garage or shed and were cramped, a fire risk, and totally unsuitable for people to live in. They were being advertised for rent on an internet site as self-contained rooms at £80 per week.

"Taking advantage of people in this cruel way disgusts me. My heart really went out to the families. We do not expect landlords in our city to treat people in this fashion.

"If we become aware of this kind of dirty practice we will not hesitate to use the full force of our enforcement activity to quash it."

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