My client, upon conducting due diligence, was astounded to uncover that her tenant had been unlawfully subletting her property via Airbnb. It has come to her attention that said tenant, identified as a fitness influencer, was utilizing the premises—an East London flat—as short-term accommodation for tourists, charging approximately £190 per night. During this period, the tenant was reportedly indulging in luxury vacations to Dubai, thereby reaping financial benefits without the knowledge or consent of my client, the legal property owner.
For a period spanning the last 12 years, landlord Leanne Newton has leased her one-bedroom flat to a diverse range of occupants, including student doctors, educators, and individuals displaced from their homes. Throughout this time, Ms. Newton has acted in good faith, providing housing to those in need, many of whom were in transitional or precarious living situations.
However, on the preceding Monday, the 54-year-old landlord found herself contemplating whether to cease her rental operations entirely. This reconsideration arose from unforeseen circumstances that have significantly impacted her outlook on continuing in this capacity.
This decision was not prompted by rising interest rates or the impending Renters Reform Bill, but rather by the fact that she had fallen victim to a blatant scam. Her tenant, Ifende Uzoka, a four-time bodybuilding champion and fitness influencer, was unlawfully subletting her East London flat to unsuspecting holidaymakers. Ms. Newton discovered that Uzoka had been listing the Stratford property on Airbnb and Booking.com, charging up to £190 per night to finance a life of luxury, including yacht trips in Dubai.
At this nightly rate, Uzoka—who entered into a tenancy agreement in October 2023—stood to generate as much as £69,350 per year, while only paying Ms. Newton £22,800 annually (£1,900 per month) in rent.
Ms. Newton is now urgently pursuing eviction proceedings against Uzoka, who identifies as “MsFitQueen” and operates an online clothing business under the same name. Notably, Uzoka has also made a public appearance on BBC Radio London’s program, The Scene with Claira Hermet, a show dedicated to highlighting London’s diverse culture and emerging talent.
In an exclusive statement to Newsafro.com, Ms. Newton remarked: “I have been a landlord for many years, renting to student doctors, single parents, and individuals in need of housing after being displaced. This is the first time in my entire tenure as a landlord that I have encountered a situation like this—it’s absolutely gobsmacking.”
