Landlord’s Agents Given a 2-Year Suspended Sentence

Mr. Gary Lam, 58 years old, from Normanhurst, Ashford in Middlesex, who has been acting as a landlord’s agent was given a suspended prison sentence for fraudulently receiving benefits between July 2007 and June 2008, for which he was not entitled and which amounted to £9,400. Mr. Gary Lam, who acted as a landlord’s agent for an unoccupied property located in Newdigate Road, Beare Green, turned out to be receiving housing benefit on behalf of the former tenant. He failed to notify the Council that the tenant left the property and continued to receive the housing benefit. The benefit fraud team of the Council's received a tip-off that the above-mentioned property in Newdigate Road, Beare Green has been unoccupied. A thorough investigation resulted in the disclosure of the fact that the property has been vacant since July 2007. The agent appeared at Redhill Magistrates Court, which sentenced him to 5 months in prison, which later were suspended for 2 years, to a Community Sentence of 100 hours of unpaid work to be carried out under supervision as well as to a compensation order, under which Mr. Lam has to pay Council costs of £985.81 to recover the debt. If Lam fails to complete any of the requirements or commits another offence, the 2-year sentence will be invoked. MVDC's Benefits Manager. Mr. Rob Boxall, said that benefit fraud will not be tolerated despite tough economic conditions and pressures in the country. He said that it’s the responsibility of the landlord and the agent to inform the Council if their or their tenants’ conditions change. He added that all fraudulent claims will be pursued as they affect everyone within the district.