A nurse who illegally rented out her council flat while living elsewhere has been sentenced at court.
Hassana Kefas was sentenced at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 17 March after renting out her Barnet council home while living at a different address in Enfield with her partner since at least 2016.
During that time, the council estimates a loss of around £51,106, as the property was unavailable to people on the housing waiting list and added pressure to temporary accommodation.
Kefas was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activities.
The court also ordered her to pay £5,000 under an unlawful profit order, along with £10,000 in compensation and costs to the council.
She was found to have made £19,633 more in rent from tenants than she paid to the council while subletting the property.
In sentencing, District Judge Walsh said: “You profited from sub-letting as if it were your asset; you deprived LB Barnet and its honest residents in need of social housing – that is disgraceful. Your dishonesty was greedy and selfish.”
Civil proceedings had started to recover the property, but it was handed back after Kefas was found guilty.
At the conclusion of the case, the judge also commended the council for carrying out a thorough investigation.
Cllr Ross Houston, Deputy Leader of Barnet Council and Cabinet Member for Homes & Regeneration, said: “Tenancy fraud is not a victimless crime. Every home that is illegally sublet is one fewer available for a family in genuine need, often forcing people into costly temporary accommodation.
“This case demonstrates that Barnet Council will take firm action against anyone who tries to profit at the expense of our residents. We will always protect our housing stock and ensure that council homes go to those who need them most.”
This financial year, Barnet’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Team has recovered 60 properties that were being used illegally. These homes will now be returned to the council’s housing stock of more than 13,000 properties and used to house those in need.
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