STRUCK OFF

A solicitor who dishonestly sublet his London council flat without the landlord's consent was struck off. Rahand Raza was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison suspended for two years after admitting offences under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013. He was then prosecuted by the SRA and pleaded guilty. The SDT found that by subletting the flat without consent he had breached the 2013 Act, which makes it an offence to sublet social housing without the landlord's consent. The SDT rejected Raza's claim to have been the victim of the 'sub-tenant' who he said was a trespasser in the flat. The SDT concluded that he did not want the landlord informed because he was still receiving rent money and the retention of his tenancy. The SDT said his conduct was very serious, a deliberate and calculated course of conduct from which he had personally benefited, and it had caused harm to the wider society. Raza paid £3,496 compensation to the landlord and was ordered to pay £2,471.90 in costs. 14 April 2020