A council tenant as been ordered to pay back more than £29,000 after subletting his social housing property while living elsewhere.

Khalid Sharif sublet his property in Wandsworth, south London, to another individual through a lettings agency. 

The unauthorised subletting came to light following checks by the council. 

The property was being sublet for £1,400 a month, six months of which had been paid upfront.  

The property had been advertised and rent collected through the agency. 

Sharif argued in court that he had bought the property and so could sub-let it. 

However, the council proved that he had not bought the property and so his subletting was not authorised. 

Sharif was ordered to pay £29,860.48 and surrender the property back to the authority. 

Simon Hogg, leader of Wandsworth council, says:  “Council housing provides a safe and secure home for those most in need. 

“When that system is exploited for personal financial gain, it deprives someone of a much-needed home and contributes to longer waiting lists across Wandsworth.”