Council tenant guilty of subletting

A social housing tenant was ordered to repay £11,310 and handed 18-week jail sentence, suspended for two years, after subletting his one-bedroom flat.
By The Newsroom
Published 31st May 2016, 12:44 BST
Updated 31st May 2016, 13:48 BST
Statue of JusticeStatue of Justice
Statue of Justice

Franck Guei, 29, formerly of Ashburnham Court, Bedford, also has to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and pay legal costs after pleading guilty to the offence at Luton Magistrates Court.

Bedford Borough Council and bpha discovered Guei lived with his ex-partner for two years while collecting £430 per month in rent.

He planted family photos and personal items in the flat in an attempt to convince investigators it was his family home. He also claimed the locks had been changed without his knowledge.

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Guei has now voluntarily ended his tenancy and return the keys.

Cllr Michael Headley, Portfolio Holder for Finance at Bedford Borough Council, said: “Anyone subletting a housing association property is depriving a family in need of a home. By investigating these matters the Council is able to make more properties available to provide safe and secure homes for those most in need. The Council will not stand for abuse and fraud and will take action against those found to be subletting or lying to obtain properties.”