Anonymous tip off leads to recovery of illegally sublet property
Due to a tip off from a concerned tenant, the council took back possession of a property that had been illegally sublet. The cost of the fraud is estimated to be £10,142.
The Fraud Investigator and Enforcement Officer were informed that the lawful tenant had not been seen for several months and that an unknown couple had moved into the property.
The full investigation confirmed that individuals occupying the property were not the legal tenants and that the home had been illegally sublet in breach of the tenancy agreement.
The correct legal notices were served, and the unlawful occupants were evicted. The tenancy was formally ended, allowing the council to take back full possession of the property.
Chair of the Economy Committee, Councillor Roger Nash said: “We are incredibly grateful to the resident who chose to speak up on behalf of people who actually need housing. Thanks to responsible members of our community, we can identify and act on cases of illegal subletting more quickly.”
The property is now undergoing necessary repairs and refurbishment and will be re‑let to individuals or families with a genuine housing need. The council encourages anyone who has concerns about tenancy misuse to come forward, they can do it anonymously if they prefer. Community reports play a vital role in protecting local housing and ensuring fairness for all.
If you suspect council fraud, you can report it anonymously: phone us on 01903 737638, visit ReportAFraud , or email fraud@arun.gov.uk .