Southwark Council Reclaims Walworth Flat After Tenancy Review
Southwark Council has taken possession of a council‑owned flat in Walworth, south London, following a twelve‑month investigation into the tenant’s continued use of the property. The flat had been occupied by Fatima Jabbe‑Bio, the wife of Sierra Leone’s president Julius Maada Bio, from 2007 until 2018.
Background of the Tenancy
Jabbe‑Bio, then 46, moved into the Walworth apartment in 2007 under a standard social‑housing tenancy agreement. She remained there until her husband won the Sierra Leone presidential election in 2018, after which the couple relocated to the Presidential Lodge in Freetown—a state residence that includes a swimming pool, tennis courts and a helipad.
According to The Guardian UK, the council began reviewing the case after noticing that the flat had not been used as a main residence for several years.
Council’s Tenancy Rules and Investigation Findings
Southwark’s tenancy regulations require that council tenants treat their home as their “sole or main residence.” Tenants must also notify the council in writing if they intend to be away from the property for more than 42 consecutive days. Annual compliance checks are carried out to verify that tenants continue to meet these conditions.
Reginald Popoola, the council’s executive member for social housing, stated:
“Following a 12‑month investigation by our housing investigations team, we can confirm that we have taken possession of a property in Walworth.”
The council did not disclose the specific evidence gathered, nor did it indicate whether Jabbe‑Bio voluntarily surrendered the tenancy. However, Popoola confirmed that the flat will be re‑allocated to a household on the council’s housing waiting list.
Jabbe‑Bio’s Response
Jabbe‑Bio has denied any wrongdoing. In an interview with the BBC she said:
“My children are all British citizens. I pay for my council house myself. I have committed no crime.”
She emphasized that she continued to pay rent and maintained family ties to the United Kingdom. Southwark Council has not charged her with an offence, issued a fine, or sought financial compensation.
Pressure on England’s Social Housing System
The case highlights growing strain on social housing across England. As of 31 March 2025, local authorities reported approximately 1.34 million households on waiting lists—the highest figure since 2014 (Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities).
- London faces the greatest demand, with over 341,000 households awaiting social housing in the capital.
- In Southwark alone, more than 18,000 households are on the waiting list, while around 4,000 residents live in temporary accommodation.
- Some applicants wait more than five years before securing permanent housing.
In response, councils have intensified efforts to reclaim properties where tenants may have breached occupancy rules. Southwark reported recovering 107 homes over a two‑year period through investigations into suspected rental fraud and unlawful occupation.
Property Value and Local Market Context
The Walworth flat sits on a quiet residential street of terraced houses, less than two miles from central London. According to The Telegraph, a comparable two‑bedroom property in the area would sell for roughly £385,000, and private rents can exceed £2,300 per month.
Council tenants typically pay rents well below market rates. Southwark has not disclosed the exact amount Jabbe‑Bio paid for the flat, but the discrepancy between social‑housing rents and local market values underscores why the authority is keen to ensure compliance with tenancy conditions.
From Asylum Seeker to First Lady
Jabbe‑Bio’s personal journey adds a notable dimension to the story. Born in Sierra Leone, she arrived in the UK as an asylum seeker at age 16 in 1996, reportedly fleeing an arranged marriage. She later built a career as an actress, model, screenwriter and film producer.
In 2012 she met Julius Maada Bio in London while interviewing him about prominent Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora. Bio was then fundraising for his first presidential campaign. After his victory in the 2018 election, Jabbe‑Bio became Sierra Leone’s first lady; he secured a second term in 2023.
Conclusion
The Southwark Council’s decision to reclaim the Walworth flat underscores the ongoing challenge of balancing limited social‑housing resources with the need to enforce tenancy agreements. While Jabbe‑Bio maintains she has fulfilled her financial obligations and retains strong UK ties, the council’s action reflects a broader trend of local authorities scrutinising occupancy to protect housing for those with genuine need.
