As part of the initiative, Lambeth has signed up to a new data-sharing partnership between the government and online rental platform Airbnb, alongside councils in London, Edinburgh and Birmingham. The agreement will help identify council homes that may be being illegally sublet through short-term rental platforms. The council can now cross-check Airbnb listings against its housing records to support investigations into suspected tenancy fraud.
Council homes are a valuable public asset. Every property that is unlawfully sublet is one less home available for a household in genuine housing need. With more than 30,000 households on Lambeth’s housing register and significant demand for temporary accommodation, it is critical that social housing is used for the purpose it was intended.
Councillor Pete Elliott, Cabinet Member for Housing, said:
“Council housing is a precious public asset that should be used fairly and not exploited for private profit. Protecting these homes is essential if we are to maintain confidence among our residents in the fairness and integrity of the housing system.
“The overwhelming majority of our tenants fully respect the conditions of their tenancy and this initiative is about protecting them.”
The issue of council properties in the borough being advertised on short-term rental platforms was also raised at a recent meeting of Lambeth’s Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee.
Lambeth Council is asking residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity that may indicate a property is being unlawfully sublet. Examples may include recently installed key lock boxes where there is no known operational or care-related need or frequent changes of occupants.
Residents are asked not to confront occupants directly. People staying in these properties may themselves have rented the accommodation in good faith and be unaware that it is a council home. Any concerns should instead be reported to the council so they can be investigated appropriately.
Anyone with information about a council property they believe may be being unlawfully sublet is encouraged to report their concerns to the council. Reports can be made confidentially and will be investigated by the council’s Counter Fraud team.
