Council investigation sees resident handed suspended sentence over unlawful sub-letting of council property

Stephen Makore, of 7 Playford Gardens, Bristol, had pleaded guilty at Bristol Crown Court to one offence of tenancy fraud after an investigation by Bristol City Council’s Counter Fraud and Investigation Team.

The local authority said the investigation discovered that, between 27 August 2020 and 31 May 2023, Makore had ceased to occupy the property at Playford Gardens and had instead let the property to two other people, in direct contravention of the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013.

Tenancy conditions specified that Makore must occupy the council property as their only home and that they could not sublet the property.

The council said that suspicions were raised following a Right to Buy application in 2021.

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Further investigation by the council discovered that in July 2020, Makore was liable for council tax at an address in Newport and then at another address in Monmouth from August 2020.

Bank statements also showed regular payments of ‘rent’ into Makore’s bank account.

Makore was given a suspended sentence and required to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work.

The council also sought an unlawful profit order, which will require Makore to repay £3600, along with a statutory surcharge of £156.

Cllr Barry Parsons, Chair of the council’s Homes and Housing Delivery Committee, said: “I hope this verdict acts as a stern reminder to anyone considering this course of action of our zero-tolerance approach to tenancy fraud.”