SIXTEEN council homes in Southampton are under investigation in a crackdown on illegal subletting.

In the last year Southampton City Council has taken back seven homes from tenants who were in breach of their tenancy for subletting to other people.

And the council’s work has now been boosted by a £30,000 Government grant to pay for an extra member of staff and a specialist firm to find illegal subletters.

Housing boss councillor Peter Baillie said: “While illegal subletting is not a widespread problem in Southampton the council is determined to ensure that those who are cheating the taxpayer are stopped. I would urge any member of the public to report any suspicion of sub letting. It is illegal and stops law-abiding people from renting a council property”.