Duncan Lewis Housing Director Features in Daily Mail Article Discussing Illegal Renting of Help to Buy Property (6 May 2025)

Manjinder Kaur Atwal, Director of Housing at Duncan Lewis Solicitors, has been featured in a Daily Mail article discussing the illegal renting of Help to Buy Properties.

The article focused on concerns raised by a resident who suspected their neighbour was unlawfully renting out a property purchased under the scheme. In her commentary, Manjinder clarified that unauthorised subletting of a Help to Buy property is a breach of the loan terms and, in some cases, may amount to mortgage fraud, a serious offence with significant legal and financial consequences.

“If the neighbour has not sought and been granted explicit permission, what they are doing could be a clear misuse of public funds and mortgage fraud,” she stated.

Manjinder also advised readers on practical steps they can take when facing such concerns, including writing formally to Homes England, contacting the freeholder or managing agent, and escalating the issue to relevant authorities such as Trading Standards, the Financial Conduct Authority, or the local housing enforcement team.

For further details on Manjinder’s recommendations, you can access the full article here: My Help to Buy neighbour is illegally renting out his flat - how can I put a stop to it?

About Manjinder

Manjinder Kaur Atwal, Director of Housing, is recognised by the Chambers UK legal directory as a UK-wide notable practitioner, offering strength across a wide range of social housing matters, including interim relief and homelessness applications. She heads a Housing Team ranked Tier 1 across the South East by The Legal 500 for its "excellent knowledge of the law" and "extensive experience". The department is recognised as a market-leader in all areas of social housing and property litigation including disrepair, unlawful evictions, homelessness, possession disputes, and complex judicial review matters. 

For advice in relation to any housing matter contact Manjinder Kaur Atwal on 07342 081785 or email at Manjindera@duncanlewis.com

About Duncan Lewis Solicitors

Duncan Lewis Solicitors is a multi-award-winning national law firm renowned for exceptional legal services and commitment to justice. With expertise in 25 areas of law, the firm is ranked in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as a top-tier law firm and has been named a Times Top 250 Law Firm. Headquartered in London, the firm is recognised for its excellence in people management, holding the Investors in People Gold Standard Accreditation, and embraces a paperless, hybrid-working model. The firm was crowned law firm of the year at the LexisNexis awards 2024 and again at the Modern Law awards the year before.