COUNCIL houses which could be used for families in need are being illegally sublet on Airbnb, an investigation has revealed.

Milton Keynes City Council discovered 18 council homes being profited from, with homes being advertised on platforms such as Airbnb.

Airbnb is a service that lets property owners rent out their spaces to guests looking for a place to stay.

Guests can pay to rent a space for multiple people to share, a shared space with private rooms, or the entire property for themselves. 

The council discovered in one particular case, a property was being advertised as a holiday home with people being charged £500 per week.

Since then, MK City Council has returned the properties back into proper use to families who need homes.

It is illegal for council tenants to sublet their properties under any circumstances.

Cabinet Member for Adults, Housing and Healthy Communities, Cllr Emily Darlington said: “Subletting our homes and depriving a family actually in need of the property is illegal and we will not tolerate it.

"My thanks go out to city council who carried out the investigations and returned these properties back to families that need them.

"We’ll continue carrying out further investigations and won’t hesitate to take action.”

The city council is encouraging anyone who thinks a property might be being unlawfully sublet to report it by calling 01908 252937 or emailing Neighbourhood.Services@milton-keynes.gov.uk.