A WOMAN has been fined thousands of pounds after illegally subletting her rented property to four people whilst living abroad.

In December 2020, Silva Homes had received an anonymous tip-off that a woman who lived in a rented property in Jennett's Park, Bracknell was actually living in a different country.

The social company said the woman was 'illegally subletting their affordable rented property to four people' and believe this started in August 2020.

A worker at Silva Homes started to investigate the tenant, gathering evidence for the customer to be taken to court a year later.

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As a result, the woman was fined more than £20,000 and has intentionally made themselves homeless.

The company said the perpetrator will 'find it difficult to be re-housed following this case.

The court has ordered the woman to pay £15,368.03 and pay the outstanding rent arrears of £1,319.92.

She also has pay an occupation charge of £24.97 per day from July, 19 2021 until the claimant recovers possession of the property and the defendant is to pay the claimant’s costs summarily assessed as £3,419.80.

Dasos Christou, executive director of customer relations, said: “The outcome is extremely positive, considering it was the first case of its kind, and will give us the confidence now to take on other cases like this if they arise. We want to provide homes for people who need them and not for those looking to make a profit illegally.

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“Well done to Lauren and the rest of our tenancy team for their hard work pursuing this. Without their diligence and attention to detail, we would not have been able to achieve such a brilliant result.

“We have a zero-tolerance approach to tenancy fraud and will take action against any suspected fraud.”

The four tenants are also being supported by Silva Homes after unknowingly living in the illegally sublet home.

They are currently being re-housed by the Bracknell Forest Council.

As such, Silva Homes said websites such as Facebook, Gumtree, Airbnb and spareroom.com are being closely monitored as this is where the home was being advertised.