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£100k fine and eviction for AirBnb-ing a council flat.

(9 Posts)
Witzend Mon 29-Jul-19 14:16:21

Some good news for once in today's Times!

Apparently the bloke had been AirBnB-ing his central London flat since 2013!

I bet this sort of thing is rife, especially in cities - good to see councils cracking down.

This was Westminster Council, and the article says that more than 1500 of their homes are under investigation for short term sub-letting, and that last year 24 council homes were recovered from fraudsters.

More well publicised cases like this - and the massive fines - are surely needed!

suziewoozie Mon 29-Jul-19 14:19:20

Absolutely agree- I also think it shouldn’t be beyond the wit of a programmer to come up with a data base of all council properties that can be fed into Airbn search and throw up all matches

sodapop Mon 29-Jul-19 14:29:35

Good idea sooziewoozie and the accommodation should be given to someone who really needs it.

lemongrove Mon 29-Jul-19 14:36:38

I agree suzie it’s time all councils got a grip with this escalating fraud.

jura2 Mon 29-Jul-19 14:39:46

Totally agree- in fact 100k seems far too low.

Charleygirl5 Mon 29-Jul-19 14:53:07

I agree, jura especially as it has been going on for so long.

EllanVannin Mon 29-Jul-19 15:08:49

There was a programme about those who sub-let their council homes, of which many do then go and live abroad. Benefits are by fraudulent means but seemingly aren't checked in relation to the tenants who are living there. Many refugees living in one property paying some greedy monster and keeping him in luxury somewhere.

Makes you wonder what these councils have been doing all these years to allow things like this to get out of hand.

jura2 Mon 29-Jul-19 15:09:23

so many families are desperate- and I think about those poor Grenfell people still living in bedsits. Makes me so angry.

suziewoozie Mon 29-Jul-19 16:01:07

Years and years ago Councils employed rent collectors. I know because I did it one summer whilst at University. As well as collecting the rent, it meant a check was kept on the way the house/flat was being looked after and of course who was living there( although I don’t think that was an issue back then) I know we won’t go back to that but surely spot checks should take place