A special taskforce has been launched by HM Revenue & Customs to tackle tax cheats in the rental property sector in the South-East. It is expected to recover nearly £4m.

David Gauke, the Exchequer Secretary, said: “The vast majority of people play by the rules. We will not tolerate tax evasion and will crack down on the minority who choose to break the rules.

“It cannot be fair that, while most people are paying the right tax, a tiny minority are not paying what they should.”