Tax fraud by greedy landlords

While I was checking through the weekend news I was drawn to an article in the EveningStandard online, it was one of those reoccurring tax fraud cases involving greedy people who choose to defraud the system to finance their wealthy lifestyle at the expense of the majority who are in the main contributors to our society, Enough is Enough.

The case in question was concerning a couple from Uxbridge who are accused of defrauding mortgage lenders and taxman whilst earning rent from a property empire. The scale of the fraud is shocking to say the least, what makes it worse is that the wife worked for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, in the case Prosecutor Ailsa Williamson said: “They lied about their incomes. They rented out most of the properties and got income but never told the tax man about it. They sold three of the properties but did not declare their profit. The icing on the cake was tax credits they claimed by lying about their income.”

What I fail to understand is why are there so many similar cases as this where landlords fail to declare their income, or even worse claim benefits at the same time to top up their already substantial income, has consequetive governments not made enough effort to monitor and control those earning vast incomes from their property empires. This as I see it is outright theft, they are taking away money that should be going into the country’s purse to help make up the shortfall that exists in Health, Education and Housing.

The government has got to get a grip and courts need to deal with the offenders in a manner that will see people  punished more severley, how often do I read about punishments handed out in other such cases that appear so weak it is unbelievable, infact some of the punishments encourage  people to offend in this way as opposed to deter, in some cases the reward appears to outweigh the risk.

Thankfully it is a small minority who defraud in this way, however it is sending out the wrong messages, the government needs to get systems into place that deal with these issues more efficiently and effectively, society is suffering at the hands of the greedy few, shame on them.

Link to the Standard website: http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/uxbridge-couple-defrauded-mortgage-lenders-and-taxman-while-earning-rent-from-property-empire-court-a3124851.html

 

 

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Breaking News

Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act-lessees can control their own destiny

Matthew Pennycock, Minister of State for Housing and Planning, has made a Parliamentary Statement regarding the future progress of the Freehold and Leasehold Reform Act 2024. The Government have formally recognised the “significant complexity of the task” and that the legislation was rushed in at the end of the last parliament and as a result…
Read More
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Rightmove’s weekly mortgage tracker 22/11/24

The current average asking price of a typical first-time buyer property is £225,340. For someone taking out an average five-year fixed, 85% LTV mortgage, the average monthly mortgage repayment on this type of home is now £1,104 per month if repaying over 25 years, compared with £1,138 per month a year ago (when the average first-time buyer property asking price was…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

The Architecture Of Attention Behind Social Media Addiction

In the digital age, social media platforms have revolutionized how we connect, share, and consume information. Behind their sleek interfaces lies a sophisticated architecture of persuasive technology.  These platforms employ intricate design patterns and technical elements to capture and hold user attention. From subtle visual cues to complex algorithmic systems, every feature serves a calculated…
Read More
Breaking News

2025 Predictions for the Private Rental Sector

Allison Thompson, National Lettings Managing Director, Leaders Romans Group (LRG) “As we approach 2025, the lettings industry is entering a phase marked by stabilisation and opportunity. Rental inflation has slowed to an average of 3-4% for new lets, reflecting the effects of affordability constraints; renters’ budgets are beginning to limit how much rents can rise.…
Read More
Breaking News

Response to Matthew Pennycook’s Statement on Leasehold Reform

Yesterday, Secretary of State Matthew Pennycook made a Ministerial Statement on the future of leasehold reform. Responding, Mark Chick, director of ALEP and a Partner at Bishop & Sewell LLP said: ALEP welcomes the ministerial statement which puts in place a timeframe and some objectives for the implementation of the Leasehold & Freehold Reform Act.…
Read More
Estate Agent Talk

Essential Garage Storage Solutions for Small Spaces

Maximize your garage space with practical storage ideas that keep your items organized and accessible. If you’re dealing with a smaller garage, smart solutions can make a big difference in keeping your space neat and usable. 1.  Wall-Mounted Storage Wall-mounted storage is an excellent way to save space and keep your garage organized, especially in…
Read More