Airbnb data identifies illegal social home sublets

Local councils and Airbnb have begun a data-sharing scheme to identify the illegal subletting of social homes on the short-term rental platform. Coordinated by the Cabinet Office's fraud team, the scheme allows councils to cross-check social housing records against Airbnb listings. It is suspected that nearly 6,000 social homes in England are illegally sublet on short-term rental platforms, according to the Tenancy Fraud Forum. Early results have identified 470 cases of social housing fraud, with offenders facing penalties including eviction, fines, and up to two years in prison. The government estimates each case costs taxpayers around £78,300. BBC London spoke to residents who described lockboxes and a constant stream of unfamiliar people with suitcases in their buildings. Geraldine Geraldi, a leaseholder in a Notting Hill Genesis block, said she believes a social housing flat has been illegally sublet, leading to damage and antisocial behaviour. However, some campaign groups argue that tackling illegal subletting will have very little impact on the acute housing crisis.