Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action long-term tenants and leaseholders can take in the case of (1) illegally short-let properties in their block, and (2) over-occupation of small flats.

Where a property is believed to be being sub-let illegally, including where an occupation limit is specified for the property which is being exceeded, tenants or leaseholders in the block should familiarise themselves with their tenancy or lease to determine what rights, responsibilities and obligations exist, and consider referring the matter to their landlord to take any remedial action that may be necessary in the first instance.

Where a resident is concerned that a social housing tenancy has been illegally sub-let, they should report the matter to their local council to ask them to investigate the potential social housing fraud.

Councils have a range of powers over housing standards, including unsafe or over-crowded accommodation. These are laid out in our guide for local authorities on dealing with rogue landlords.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/dealing-with-rogue-landlords-a-guide-for-local-authorities

Residents should report such matters to the council if they are concerned about potential breaches.