THE COUNCIL has been given a cash boost in its battle to clamp down on the illegal sub-letting of public housing.

The problem - where a tenant rents out their council-owned home for profit - is thought to cost the borough thousands of pounds a year.

Subletting has also contributed to Redbridge's lengthy council housing waiting list - with applicants waiting up to three times the London average for a new home.

But the council now hopes to intensify its battle against the activity after being given a £50,000 cash injection by the Government.

Part of the money will be used to give more social landlords information about how to spot and tackle the problem.

A council spokeswoman said: "It is impossible to know the extent of the problem in Redbridge but illegal sub-letting is thought to be prevalent across the UK and at its worst in London, where fraudsters can make up to £20,000 a year by illegally sub-letting properties and living elsewhere.

"The Council is currently developing its own anti-fraud initiatives as part of the campaign to tackle the problem and will be looking to take the strongest possible action which could include recovering possessions, losing the right to rent a social housing property in the future or being prosecuted for fraud.

"This initiative builds on the council's Whistleblowing Scheme which encourages people to come forward and share information about those people who are cheating council taxpayers through benefit and Council Tax fraud, corruption, sub-letting and misuse of council monies.

"Affordable housing is already scarce and it is important that fraudsters do not hang on to tenancies of council homes they do not need or do not live in, so we will be working closely with the public to ensure we stamp out this illegal behaviour in Redbridge."

To blow the whistle on a fraduster the council hotline on: 0800 633 5267 or email: whistleblow@redbridge.gov.uk.