The Government says that it has been brought to the attention of the Housing Department that Government flats are being used to sub-let. 

A statement continued: “This is very serious offence. 

“It clearly states in the underlease: 

‘The Lessee shall not sub-let, licence, share or permit the occupation by persons other than the Lessee and his Family the Premises or any part thereof the same being expressly prohibited other than by way of Mortgage PROVIDED THAT the surveyor may waive this covenant on such terms and conditions as the Surveyor may prescribe upon being satisfied that there exist genuine and compelling circumstances in the case of the Lessee that justify such a waiver.’ 

“The Government therefore urges that this Schedule be observed. 

“Houses are given to tenants who NEED them and it is, therefore, unjustified and inappropriate to rent out a Government property that has been assigned to you whether it is a Government dwelling or a 50/50 affordable Government property.”

The Minister for Housing, Pat Orfila, said: ‘We would like to thank the community of Gibraltar for their vigilance and urge them to continue to contact us with any illegal rentals or any empty Government properties that they may be aware of. 

‘We are trying very hard to use Government housing as efficiently as possible and the blatant misuse of Government properties cannot be tolerated. 

‘We remind everyone that our anonymous hotline number is 200 40040.’