A man from Grays in Essex has been fined over £100,000 for illegally subletting his Newham flat, whilst also claiming housing benefit.
Sean Doyle of Crammaville Street, Grays, illegally sublet a one-bedroom flat, owned by Housing Association L&Q whilst also claiming housing benefit from Newham Council.
Doyle, who had been operating the scam since 2006, was ordered by Stratford Magistrates Court to pay back Unlawful Profit of £102,046.15. This sum took into consideration the amount of £51,846 for unlawful Housing Benefit payments claimed from Newham Council, and £50,200 illegally collected rent he pocketed for subletting the L&Q property. He was also ordered to pay £4,177 court costs.
The scam was uncovered after L&Q received a referral from the Metropolitan Police.
An investigation by the Tenancy Fraud Team at L&Q and Newham’s Fraud Team found that he had been illegally collecting rental payments of around £1,000 per month from tenants since at least 2006, whilst living with his partner and their children in Essex
L&Q were granted outright possession of the property in October 2022 and it will now be given to a Newham family in genuine need of housing.
Councillor Zulfiqar Ali, Cabinet Member for Finance and Resources said: “It is despicable that a person who is not in housing need can deprive a Newham family of a home, whilst also conning huge amounts of money from the housing benefit system.
“I congratulate Newham’s Fraud Team, L&Q and the Metropolitan Police for bringing this man to justice. I am delighted that genuine Newham residents will now be able to access a decent home.”
Gerri Scott, Executive Group Director of Customer Services at L&Q said: “L&Q and Newham Council have a zero tolerance approach to tenancy fraud and will continue to work together to prosecute those found abusing their properties to ensure they are given to families in genuine need of housing.”
Newham Fraud Team and L&Q will now pursue Doyle, who did not appear in court, for the outstanding fines.