SNG secures record Unlawful Profit Order of £136,000 against London tenancy fraudster

SNG has been awarded £136,000 plus costs by securing an Unlawful Profit Order against a London tenant found to be subletting a social home for a number of years. It means a that a social home will be offered to a family in genuine need of housing.

The award is a record for the London and Herts team with the previous Unlawful Profit Order of £55,000 being awarded in 2023. It follows an investigation following a referral which revealed that the tenant had been subletting a three-bedroom home whilst living in Manchester and Wales whilst also spending long periods of time abroad.

An SNG Neighbourhood Officer visited the tenant’s property and found three who confirmed that they had been renting the home and that the actual tenant did not live there. The occupants were able to provide proof of rent payments being made and the colleague also noted locks on internal doors. The same was noted by a heating contractor that had attended the property. The tenant already had a gas injunction against them for non-access and making a fraudulent disrepair claim.

Unlawful Profit Orders require the offender to pay the landlord an amount that represents the profit they made from illegally subletting. Whilst the Unlawful Profit Order has been made by the Court, SNG’s Debt Recovery Team will now seek to enforce the order by identifying any property/assets held by the tenant.

Dillon Darbar, SNG Counter Fraud Manager (London and Herts), commented: “This is a fantastic result for SNG and means that once we fully secure the property, a family in genuine housing need will have a place to call home. We remain committed to the fight against tenancy fraud and will continue to work closely with partners and our colleagues to bring offenders to account.”