Council tenants who sublet their homes could face prosecution and potential prison sentences as part of a new year crackdown on abuse of social housing. Housing Minister Grant Shapps said the current system was a "scandal", that the coalition aims to end. Mr Shapps is to launch a consultation process ahead of possible legislation. Up to 160,000 council tenants are estimated to illegally sublet their homes, making thousands of pounds a year in the process. Subletting is currently not a criminal offence. The worst tenants currently face is eviction. A small number of tenants who earn more than £100,000 a year - estimated to be around 6,000 by Government - will also be asked to pay higher rent or face eviction. Shapps said such social housing abuse was costing between £5 and £10 billion a year. He said the money saved as part of the new measures would go towards new social housing. Read more on 24dash.
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