News from Westminster Labour

Westminster Labour calls for crack down on illegal sub-letting

Westminster Labour Councillors have called on the Conservative-run Council to redouble its efforts to crack down on the illegal sub-letting of Council flats, following a Freedom of Information Act enquiry which revealed that the Council has taken action against only 19 unlawfully sub-let Council properties in the last five years.

The figures are:

2005/6 = 4;
2006/7 = 1;
2007/8 = 4;
2008/9 = 3;
2009/10 = 7.

As at 30 November, there were 8,776 households (families or individuals) on Westminster’s Housing Register and 2,074 tenants (households or individuals) registered for a housing transfer.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Leader of the the Labour Group said:

“Everyone knows that illegal sub-letting is a major problem in Westminster and elsewhere in London. With thousands of people on the Housing Waiting List and waiting for a transfer to a larger property it is scandal that Westminster Conservatives are not taking tougher action against illegal sub-lets. The Council needs to redouble its efforts to root out illegal sub-letting so that those families in housing need stand a better chance of decent housing.”

“In addition, the Council needs to build more homes for rent and maximise the amount of on-site social housing as part of new developments proposed through planning applications.”