Defendant ordered to pay £90,000 in compensation over unlawful subletting of housing association property

Cordelia Amoah had pleaded guilty to unlawfully subletting the Peabody-owned property on Kelvin Road, N5, while living in a privately owned house in Enfield.

Investigators found she had received more than £52,000 in rental income over the seven years.

Ms Amoah was fined £1,400 and ordered to pay £90,000 in compensation to Peabody and the council, along with £20,000 in legal costs.

Islington Council said the case “underscores the strength of partnership between local authorities and housing providers, reaffirming Peabody and the council’s shared commitment to combating tenancy fraud and safeguarding public resources”.

It added that since 2022 it has recovered 214 homes through tenancy fraud investigations.

Cllr John Woolf, Islington's Executive Member for Homes and Neighbourhoods, said: “This case sends a clear message: tenancy fraud will not be tolerated. We’ve doubled the size of our tenancy fraud team because we take this crime seriously and we will take robust action against fraudsters.

“Every home recovered is a lifeline for a family in need, and the council will continue to work with partners to protect public resources and ensure fairness in our communities.”

Wells Chomutare, Managing Director South London at at Peabody, said: "This kind of fraudulent subletting not only breaks the law but also takes a social home away from someone who genuinely needs it.

“At a time when demand for affordable housing is incredibly high, this kind of abuse has a direct and damaging impact on those waiting for a safe, secure place to live. We’ll continue to investigate suspected fraud and take action, making sure homes are returned to those who need them most."

The property has now been let to a local person in Islington from the council’s housing register.