Council tenants need to make sure they aren’t doing this!

Council tenants need to make sure they aren’t doing this!

A Council tenant has been fined over £100,000 for airbnbing his London home.

He has also been evicted.

Westminster City Council took legal action against the tenant. The court ruled last summer that he had breached the terms of his tenancy. A possession order was granted to the council.

The tenant tried to fight the eviction, but was unsuccessful.

Under the Unlawful Profit Order (UPO), he has been ordered to pay £100,974.94 to Westminster City Council.

Anti-fraud investigation

The council’s anti-fraud service found the tenant’s home on Airbnb. There were over 300 reviews for the property which dated back to 2013.

Fake alias but reviews and payments

Although a fake alias was used, the reviews mentioned the tenant by name. Plus, his bank statements showed payments from Airbnb dating back several years.

It is illegal to sublet a council home.

And, and subsidised homes ought to check the rules before subletting.

Luke Ridge, housing law adviser at Swain & Co Solicitors comments,

“Sub-letting is a serious problem for Council’s and housing associations across the country which often leads Landlords to unfairly accuse tenants or jump to the wrong conclusions. Whilst the tenant in this case was clearly at fault by listing his property on AirBnB; we frequently represent tenants who have been wrongly accused of sub-letting by their Landlords. Landlords all too often rely on false or malicious reports by neighbours and fail to ask the tenant for their side  of the story. By helping a tenant to obtain evidence to support their case and by challenging evidence put forward by the Landlord we are able to ensure that the Court makes a fair decision.

Wrongful accusations of sub-letting can have a devastating impact on tenants who can be put at risk of losing their homes. Make sure you speak to an adviser straight away if your Landlord accuses you of sub-letting. You may be entitled to FREE legal aid to help with your case.”

Call Luke and the housing team on 02392 483322 if you are accused of subletting.

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