Stepping up the fight against housing cheats

To coincide with National Tenancy Fraud week between 14 and 21 November we are launching a new way to report tenancy fraud online and we will be publishing more information about how we track down and take action against fraudsters.

With thousands of people waiting for a council home, tenancy fraud is scandalous. According to the National Fraud Authority, tenancy fraud costs the public purse £18,000 per year for each property. That’s money that could be put to much better use.

However, thanks to investigations undertaken by our specialist Tenancy Fraud Team we’ve already taken many cases to court, ensuring crooks were punished and council homes were returned to us to be relet to people in genuine need. Tenancy fraud can result in convictions, hefty fines and in some cases prison sentences. As well as feeling the strong arm of the law, housing cheats are disqualified from applying for social housing in the future, and often have to pay back every penny made by illegally subletting their council property.

Our Tenancy Fraud team investigates tenants who sublet their council property, those who make fraudulent Right to Buy claims, try to jump the queue by lying on their housing application, or live in a council home without proper permission. Over the past year they have taken back 11 homes from tenancy fraudsters which will be relet to families in genuine need of council housing. The amount of money saved from reclaiming these 11 homes, plus funds received from Right to Buy properties over the past year equals over £1.5 million (£1,523,121 to be exact).

However, we rely on local residents to help us in the fight against tenancy fraud. Often tenants and leaseholders are the best placed to notice suspicious behaviour going on next door.

Have you noticed a property in your block or street where the occupants seem to change regularly? Or have you spotted someone collecting rent from subtenants? If you know someone who has moved in illegally or is committing housing fraud, please let us know. All reports will be treated in the strictest confidence and can be made anonymously. You can now report housing fraud on our website, or contact your Local Housing Office, email us or call our Tenancy Fraud Team on 023 8091 7610.