Lords Pass Bill to Criminalise Subletting

A bill to criminalise the subletting of social housing in England and Wales has completed its latest stage in parliament.  The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Bill has been passed by the House of Lords, and will now go back to the House of Commons before becoming law. The bill creates a new criminal offence of unlawful subletting, which will mean council tenants can be fined or imprisoned for subletting. At present subletting is a civil offence, although criminal prosecutions have been brought in some cases where there is a related offence. Read more on Inside Housing.