A man has been ordered to repay more than £29,000 after being found guilty of illegally subletting his Wandsworth council home while residing at a different address. The case highlights the council's ongoing crackdown on unauthorised subletting within social housing, which deprives vulnerable individuals of much-needed accommodation.
Council Investigation Uncovers Fraudulent Activity
Khalid Sharif sublet his council property in Wandsworth to another individual through a local estate agency. A thorough investigation by Wandsworth Council revealed that the social housing unit was being rented out for £1,400 per month, with six months of rent collected in advance. The property had been openly advertised and rental payments were managed through the estate agency, facilitating the illegal arrangement.
Court Proceedings and Legal Arguments
The case was heard at Wandsworth County Court in December 2025. During the proceedings, Mr Sharif attempted to argue that he had purchased the property and therefore had the right to sub-let it. However, the council successfully demonstrated that he had not acquired ownership of the home, rendering his subletting activity entirely unauthorised under social housing regulations.
Substantial Financial Penalty Imposed
Wandsworth Council emerged victorious from the legal battle, with the court ordering Mr Sharif to pay £29,860.48 in reclaimed funds. Additionally, he was required to surrender the property back to the council's control. This decisive outcome means the home can now be allocated to a legitimate applicant from the borough's extensive housing waiting list, providing a secure residence for someone in genuine need.
Council Leader Condemns Exploitation of Social Housing
Simon Hogg, Leader of Wandsworth Council, issued a strong statement regarding the case. He emphasised: “Council housing provides a safe and secure home for those most in need. When that system is exploited for personal financial gain, it deprives someone of a much-needed home and contributes to longer waiting lists across Wandsworth. There is no place for unauthorised subletting in our borough, and along with the South West London Fraud Partnership, we will use the full extent of the law to root out people abusing the system.”
Collaborative Fraud Prevention Efforts
The South West London Fraud Partnership (SWLFP) plays a crucial role in combating housing fraud across multiple boroughs. Their Counter Fraud officers provide internal fraud response services for the London boroughs of Kingston, Richmond, Wandsworth, Merton and Sutton. They actively investigate cases of subletting and abandonment, encouraging residents to report any suspected fraudulent activity to help protect social housing resources.
This case serves as a stark warning to those considering similar actions, demonstrating Wandsworth Council's commitment to preserving social housing for its intended purpose and taking robust legal action against those who seek to profit from it unlawfully.
