Can a Housing tenant sublet whilst in jail?

[Squeee]

My neighbour has committed a serious crime on the property, we are housing association tenants. This neighbour is planning on moving another in whilst they are in jail so they can keep the house. Apparently this new person is a nightmare. According to the housing association they are allowed to do this!! So stressed out and no longer have any confidence in that housing association (we have been having no joy in resolving issues in past with said neighbour). Also no longer feel safe here if another dodgy person moves in.

I thought tenants lost their occupational rights if convicted of a crime and banged up. Might be wrong.

This might give you some help on the issue (scroll down to the Council & Housing Association Tenants section). My reading of it is that the house can only be sub let with the permission of the Housing Association & that they're under absolutely no obligation to give permission. england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/eviction/eviction_if_you_are_sent_to_prison

Have the housing association themselves told you this is ok by them, or has your neighbour just told you they said it was OK?
Many HA's evict people convicted of a crime, especially if it is anti social behaviour or drug related. If you disagree with the HA's decision put a complaint in.

It was the police who told me the housing association said that the person can do what they like with their house in reference to subletting as they have a life tenancy. The police were just as gobsmacked as I was.

That's horrible for you. I'd talk to the HA in that case, along with any info you have on the person likely to be moving in. Surely even if they have a life tenancy the HA should have a say in who it is sub let to. Or ask to be moved to a scheme that doesn't sublet for life to criminals, maybe the HA will be motivated to find some small print in the lease to take back control.

Definitely talk to HA yourself.

Yes plan on doing so. Already rung twice. When we complained about the tenant things just went no where with H A it's like the tenant can do as they want. Council aren't happy with H A inaction. I can't go into details as to how dodgy original tenant is, it's as bad as it gets 😱