It is important to note that fraud for housing can be committed by individuals who intend to occupy a property as primary residence, or by investors who intend to rent the property as a source of income or to re-sell for gain.
While it would be natural for landlords to take back shops they can re-lease, after a brand stops paying rent, the threat of paying tax on empty properties often stops them from doing so.
Ms Kirkbride later said she would quit Parliament after facing criticism over claims she re-mortgaged her second home in her constituency, in which her brother lived rent free, to build an extra bedroom.