Extra effort on sub-letting in Lewisham welcome
October 7, 2008 11:30 AM
Cllr Alex Feakes asked the council to take action
Councillor Alex Feakes, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Lewisham West & Penge, has received a pledge of action on illegal sub-letting of social housing in Lewisham, after raising the issue at this week's full council meeting. As well as refreshing the council's own procedures, the council will take a stronger line with Lewisham Homes and the borough's social housing providers, and press for more frequent checks on tenants and leases.
With 136 referrals of sub-letting in the last year alone - and reluctance in reporting most likely understates the problem - it's estimated that many hundreds of council- and social-housing units are being illegally sub-let across the borough, leaving many families in inadequate housing.
"With nearly twenty thousand on the waiting lists for a new home, and less than two thousand coming available each year, illegal sub-letting of social housing in Lewisham is depriving hundreds of families from the home they need," said Cllr Feakes.
"I'm grateful to the cabinet member for customer services for her pledge to push for more frequent checks on illegal sub-letting. This will make a real difference to families on the list and mean that properties in areas highly affected by sub-letting, such as the Sydenham Hill estate, will got to those that need them most."
Residents who suspect illegal sub-letting of social housing can call 020 8314 9923 to pass on information in confidence.
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