Is this Fraud?

[SugarMouse1]

I wondered if anyone could tell me if people can legally do this or not.

A friend from work has 2-bed council flat in london, near a tube station. His rent is 500 per month- but he doesn't live there.

He rents it out for about 1000 a month to some south africans.

He lives with his ex-wife sleeping on her sofa, who lives alone in a 3-bed council house, paying the rent with Housing Benefit.

Its fraud.

And he's an arsehole for doing it, he's making money from it!

Why? Are you planning to report him is it is?

Of course it is, I'm surprised you need to ask.

He lives with his ex-wife sleeping on her sofa, who lives alone in a 3-bed council house, paying the rent with Housing Benefit.

Why is this bit relevant????

Are you more bothered about her getting housing benefit on a 3 bed house or about him sub-letting??

Yes it's fraud.

By both of them it sounds!

why is he on the sofa if she has a 3 bed with no one else there?

Bloomin, its relevant because its illegal.

Bloomin-

I was wondering if the ex-wife should get HB on a 3-bedroom house if he actually lives with her and works.

It sounds like fraud to me - by both of them.

Of course - sorry Sugar Mouse1 I was being completely stupid and didn't think of that bit!!!!!

Scheherezade- Is it civil or criminal though?

Is there any way of proving it?

No ... no, I think that sounds absolutely fine. Infact I'm surprised more council tenants don't do the same .

If he was reported what would likely happen?

Certainly illegal. I'd report it, especially if he was telling people that he was renting it out!

Not a matter for you to prove it or not, just a matter for you to report it and let the powers that be sort it.

It's illegal for her if she's claiming she lives alone. And receiving HB / other related benefits as a single occupant.

Both illegal - just report them, you don't have to be theone to prove it. They have ways of looking into these things!

Yes, it's 100% fraud and in serious cases is an imprisonable offence. In reality they will investigate and probably give him an opportunity to either prove he is living there or terminate the tenancy as a first step. It's also morally wrong, when you think about the thousands of families waiting for social housing, especially in London.

Phone the Local Authority and report what you know then leave it with them. You will be able to report anonymously if you want to.

It's illegal (wrong/against your contract) to sub let without the consent of the council and I would be very suprised if he gained consent for that.

As for the ex wife, well maybe they make a claim together and are entitled to hb, maybe it goes off her income only and they haven't told the council about him. That's neither here nor there.

Ex wife is committing fraud if he is living there and she hasn't mentioned him on her claim. Obviously you have no way of knowing whether or not she has.

He is probably acting against the terms of his tenancy but would be "evicted" rather than prosecuted for fraud ime.

His is fraud as subletting any social tenancy is automatically fraud.

Hers not so certain as we don't know if she has said he is there however if she has then she's stupid as it effectively proves his fraud

He lives with his ex-wife sleeping on her sofa, who lives alone in a 3-bed council house, paying the rent with Housing Benefit.

come april she will have her housing benefit reduced because of the bedroom tax.

but it is fraud on the exwife part, however he will be breaking his tenacy aggrement

And are the people paying £1000 per month rent legally here?

Actually it just occurred to me that he is maintaining a property else where so she may not be committing hb fraud .

Any why would he use the sofa if she has two spare rooms???