Woman prosecuted for illegally sub-letting social housing property
Friday, 10 April 2026
Following an investigation by Central Bedfordshire Council, a woman has been prosecuted after illegally sub-letting her social housing property.
Rhona Fry, aged 28, previously of Marshalls Avenue, Shillington, held a tenancy at an Amplius Housing Association property. However, in February 2025, it was found that she had been illegally sub-letting the property for at least 12 months after leaving the Central Bedfordshire area completely.
She was invited to attend an interview under caution, but failed to do so.
At Luton Magistrates Court on Friday 13 March, Ms Fry was prosecuted in her absence. She was ordered to to pay a total of £14,470, comprising £1,070 in costs, an Unlawful Profit Order of £11,400, and a £2,000 victim surcharge.
The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 makes it a criminal offence for Housing Association and Council Tenants to sublet their property.
Cllr Steven Watkins, Executive Member for Business, Housing and Public Assets from Central Bedfordshire Council, said:
It is completely unacceptable for anyone to misuse social housing by subletting a social housing property illegally. Social housing is a vital and limited resource that must be available to those who genuinely need it. Unlawfully subletting a social home is a criminal offence, and we will not hesitate to take action where we find that people are abusing the system.
We will continue to investigate suspected cases of housing fraud and take appropriate enforcement action to help make sure homes go to residents and families who are waiting for them and need them most.
Ms Fry's former property has since been returned to Amplius, so it can be allocated to someone on the housing waiting list.