This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-16499636
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Council tenants who sub-let homes face prison or fine | Council tenants who sub-let homes face prison or fine |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Council tenants in England who sub-let their homes will face up to two years in prison under government proposals. | Council tenants in England who sub-let their homes will face up to two years in prison under government proposals. |
The plans would see a new criminal offence of tenancy fraud, with a fine of up to £50,000 also possible. | The plans would see a new criminal offence of tenancy fraud, with a fine of up to £50,000 also possible. |
Officials estimate that 160,000 tenants sub-let their homes to other people at cost of £5bn a year to the taxpayer. | Officials estimate that 160,000 tenants sub-let their homes to other people at cost of £5bn a year to the taxpayer. |
Housing Minister Grant Shapps said some people were cheating the system by earning thousands of pounds letting out their council homes at market rents. | Housing Minister Grant Shapps said some people were cheating the system by earning thousands of pounds letting out their council homes at market rents. |
'Slap on wrist' | 'Slap on wrist' |
Sub-letting a council property is not currently a criminal offence. | Sub-letting a council property is not currently a criminal offence. |
Local councils would also receive more powers to investigate fraud, including better access to information from banks and utility companies. | Local councils would also receive more powers to investigate fraud, including better access to information from banks and utility companies. |
Mr Shapps said: "Tenancy cheats are taking advantage of a vital support system for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and getting away with a slap on the wrist while our waiting lists continue to grow. | Mr Shapps said: "Tenancy cheats are taking advantage of a vital support system for some of the most vulnerable people in our society and getting away with a slap on the wrist while our waiting lists continue to grow. |
"It's time for these swindlers to pay the price. It would cost us billions of pounds to replace the huge number of unlawfully occupied social homes across the country. | "It's time for these swindlers to pay the price. It would cost us billions of pounds to replace the huge number of unlawfully occupied social homes across the country. |
"Meanwhile tenancy cheats can earn thousands of pounds letting out their property, which was given to them in good faith and which could instead be offering a stable home to a family in need." | "Meanwhile tenancy cheats can earn thousands of pounds letting out their property, which was given to them in good faith and which could instead be offering a stable home to a family in need." |
'Genuine need' | 'Genuine need' |
He added: "The proposals I've announced today would not only deliver justice to these fraudsters but will also act as a deterrent to those who think they can earn a fast buck from this precious resource. | He added: "The proposals I've announced today would not only deliver justice to these fraudsters but will also act as a deterrent to those who think they can earn a fast buck from this precious resource. |
"I want everyone to know that our country's social homes are going to those in genuine need, not providing a 'nice little earner' to someone who could afford to live elsewhere." | "I want everyone to know that our country's social homes are going to those in genuine need, not providing a 'nice little earner' to someone who could afford to live elsewhere." |
Ministers are putting out the proposals for consultation. | Ministers are putting out the proposals for consultation. |
The government has already signalled its intention to make tenants who earn at least £100,000 a year pay market rates. | The government has already signalled its intention to make tenants who earn at least £100,000 a year pay market rates. |
The Welsh Assembly government is planning to publish "shortly" a consultation on ways to strengthen existing social housing legislation in Wales. | |
In Scotland, the administration said it has no intention of following the UK government's plans and was instead focussed on delivering new affordable homes. | |
About 1.8 million families in England and Wales are currently on waiting lists for social housing. | About 1.8 million families in England and Wales are currently on waiting lists for social housing. |