Subletting Your Council House Could Lead To Prison Under New Government Plans ........
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Council tenants who rake in thousands of pounds a year by subletting their homes face up to two years in prison, it was revealed today.
Courts would also be able to fine offenders up to £50,000, under detailed proposals unveiled by the Government. Abuse of social housing is estimated to cost the taxpayer more than £5 billion a year.
Apparently it is not currently an offence to sub-let a council house but it is believed that up to 160,000 tenants are doing this. It is planned that monies derived from fines will be returned to social landlords rather than going into government coffers. Wonderful! And as a spin off, local authorities will be given 'stronger' powers to investigate fraud, with easier access to data from banks and utility companies. I am so aware of the 'brick walls' when out fraud investigation officers need information, it's almost like the banks and utlities protect their customers in the light of fraud investigation.
This is all wonderful news and only last week I detected a one bedroom housing association flat being let to two familes for pure profit, with the lounge having been turned into a second bedroom. Estimated profit for the tenant was some £400/month. Sad to say, it was immigrants who resided there and really knew no better.
What say you all? And who knows someone that does this or commits housing or benefit fraud to any extent? It's really about time that no one felt guilty for reporting these things.
Responses (7)
And quite right too. Social housing is intended for those who need it, not those who want to turn a profit by subletting it to the needy ones.
Putting the fines back into social housing is even better. Bring it on!
Great idea! We should definitely fine them, charge them for all rental profits made and then make them lose their council home.
Hmm. Who counts as a 'social landlord' by the way?
Housing associations and local councils I guess, G-Man.
Yes, that's exactly it .... council and housing association homes, where the rent is markedly below that of private rentals. Makes the situation even more poignant.
Sincerely hope so, Sabre.
Sorry, posted that in the wrong place - should have been in the next section down!
Surely there must be a clause about subletting?? How on earth did they miss that??
There's always been a clause Jazz ... it's just that the matter has not been dictated as a criminal offence to date. And again it's the burden of proof in the past that has been the sticking point. And providing people pay their rent and do not create a nuisance or commit antisocial behaviour, it seldom comes to anyone's attention. That's where public cooperation comes in. For some reason, tenants have contempt for social housing landlords, like 'it doesn't matter' or 'they're fair game'. And that does need to change. These tenancies should be valued and never abused.
Ah, that makes sense Snoopy, couldn't believe there wasn't a clause! I suppose the trouble is a lot of people keep themselves to themselves nowadays so don't know the neighbours anyway. And those that do, and know of this going on, would rather not get involved, the great British mantra!
But why is this new criminal offence only restricted to thiose living in council homes and not including housing associations?
Excellent news and about time too. Council housing should go to those that really need it and should change hands once the family is earning enough to move into other accommodation. It's a scandal that people are making money sub letting council housing and I am glad to hear that they may now be punished.
I believe there was talk of reducing the length of tenancies at some point sidesalad, so hopefully that'll mean that the council can ensure that they are only granted to those in real need.
I heard this briefly on the radio this morning, and I'm all for this decision. It is, as Sidesalad says, an absolute scandal, particularly when so many are in desperate need of council housing. A very welcome move!
Excellent news!
160,000 thats unbelievable!!!
No wonder the the UK is in the S***
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Too right Feline,bring it on. I wonder why this has taken so long to implement.
I agree Lillie ... trouble is that while bureaucracy can be a complete ass, it takes so long for it to become one!
I hope they catch thousands of them and take them all to court the cheating and scrounging parasites and give us all a good laugh at their expense. Hopefully they will have to pay back all the money they have made - aren't they scheming b******s ?
Can't see it myself Sabre, they'll plead poverty and just get a tiny slap on the wrist
At least when they are caught out they will get a prison sentence.