MORE than 550 suspected rogue landlords are facing an investigation by the taxman after a council blitz on beds in sheds.

Slough Borough Council has passed the details of 587 landlords to the HMRC as part of its crackdown on people living in squalid sheds in back gardens.

Legal action has also been taken against three landlords after they were found to have outbuildings without planning permission. It followed the council’s thermal fly over which identified 6,100 possible outbuildings being used as beds in sheds.

Ray Haslam, head of environmental services and resilience, said: “We’re taking a holistic approach and dealing with each outbuilding on an individual basis.

“Our primary concern, since the inception of this project, has always been to protect vulnerable people and ensure they’re not living in substandard conditions.

“So, while a number of these buildings were undoubtedly built for habitation and we have anecdotal evidence they’re being lived in, it’s good news that where we’ve been allowed access we haven’t found anyone in need of our help.” One of the landlords, from the Wexham area, demolished his outbuilding last month after a failed appeal against a planning enforcement notice to remove it.

Appeals are pending against two other planning enforcement notices issued to landlords in central Slough and Langley.

The buildings were found during a flyover commissioned by the council last year. Company Bluesky International used a specially-equipped aeroplane to gather thermal, 3D and aerial images of the borough in an attempt to build an accurate map of all outbuildings.

Now officers are inspecting up to 12 outbuilding every week. Buildings over four years old are no longer subject to planning enforcement, but details can be passed on to decide if council tax can be levied on it. The council has referred 22 so far.

They will then face ‘stringent’ checks they meet housing standards. The authority can also fine landlords £200 for not holding a valid Energy Performance Certificate - needed for dwellings bigger than 50sq m.

Cllr James Swindlehurst, commissioner for neighbourhoods and renewal, added: “We’re still concerned about a lack of space and the effect new outbuildings have on neighbourhoods. But where we’re unable to enforce planning regulations, it makes sense to regularise the ones that are perfectly habitable.”