A London landlord was shocked to learn her tenant was secretly renting out her property for £190 per night.
The tenant, a fitness influencer, used the proceeds to fund a lavish lifestyle, including trips to Dubai.
Discovery of the Subletting Scheme
Leanne Newton, a 54-year-old landlord, has rented her one-bedroom flat for 12 years to various tenants. However, last Monday, she discovered that her tenant, Ifende Uzoka, had been renting out her flat on Airbnb and Booking.com for £190 per night. This illegal subletting allowed Uzoka to potentially earn £69,350 annually, far exceeding the £22,800 she paid in rent to Newton.
Newton, a retired British businesswoman now living in France, revealed that Uzoka had listed the flat as a two-bedroom holiday home for four, although it was initially a one-bedroom property with a converted dining room serving as a second bedroom.
Deceitful Activities and Tenant’s Background
Uzoka, a fitness influencer known as MsFitQueen, never occupied the flat despite signing a tenancy in October 2023. Instead, she used it to host tourists, with reviews on Booking.com showing the property was booked for at least 48 nights since November 2023. One vacationer even noted that Uzoka cancelled their stay two minutes before check-in.
Newton was particularly troubled to find out that the flat had been booked for as many as eight guests at a time, even though under Newham Council licensing laws, the property could only accommodate two people.
Angered by the deceit, Newton said, “Aside from swear words, it was an absolute shock. How could there be another house in London with similar architecture to mine and similar art to mine, but with different furniture?”
Legal and Financial Implications
Newton tried to contact Uzoka multiple times regarding overdue rent payments, but the influencer repaid her outstanding debt and then disappeared. Attempts to meet with Uzoka were fruitless as she repeatedly refused to meet with Newton or the managing agent.
This lack of communication prompted Newton to investigate further, leading to the discovery of the illegal subletting. Upon finding out about the situation, Newton issued an eviction notice to Uzoka and reported the matter to various authorities, including Newham Council, Airbnb, Booking.com, and the Metropolitan Police.
Impact on Property and Legal Recourse
The fraudulent subletting not only created financial losses for Newton but also posed significant risks to the property. “I can see from online photos that there are at least two doors hanging off hinges,” she said. Newton also mentioned that the property had big-screen TVs mounted on walls not designed to support such weight.
Adding to her concerns, Newton noted that the furniture in the home had been replaced and rooms had been altered without her consent.
Newton expressed frustration over the legal limitations, lamenting the slow eviction process. She also expressed concerns about potential damages to the property while awaiting legal resolution.
Tenant Rights and Legislative Challenges
The situation has highlighted the issue of tenant rights and legislative challenges that landlords face. Newton criticised the lack of legal protections for landlords in cases of fraudulent subletting. She called for more stringent measures to prevent such activities and protect property owners.
Moreover, Newton expressed concerns about upcoming legislation that could make it even harder for landlords to evict problematic tenants.
Newton’s case serves as a cautionary tale for landlords and underscores the need for due diligence and stricter enforcement of subletting regulations.
Platform Responses and Systemic Issues
Upon being informed about the illegal subletting, both Airbnb and Booking.com took actions to address the issue. Airbnb removed Newton’s flat from its listings, while Booking.com is currently investigating the situation.
The incident has raised questions about the platforms’ vetting processes and the ease with which tenants can exploit these platforms for illegal subletting.
Additionally, the case has brought to light the broader systemic issues within the rental market, including rising rents and the lengths to which some tenants will go to afford their lifestyles.
Fitness Influencer’s Social Media Reaction
Following the revelation of her fraudulent activities, Uzoka made her Instagram account private, suggesting an attempt to avoid public scrutiny.
A message from a group called ‘Bella Ruiz Team’ was sent to guests who booked Newton’s flat, which Uzoka may be using to manage these illicit bookings. This indicates the possible involvement of third parties in the fraudulent scheme.
This incident underscores the importance of thorough tenant vetting and the need for stronger regulations against illegal subletting.
Landlords like Newton face significant financial and legal challenges due to such fraudulent activities, highlighting a pressing issue within the rental market.
