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Surrey council forms partnerships to crack down on housing and tenancy fraud (1 December 2015)

Date: 01/12/2015
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Surrey council forms partnerships to crack down on housing and tenancy fraud

Reigate and Banstead Council is cracking down on social housing tenancy fraudsters, who prevent families in real housing need from moving into permanent homes – and cost the taxpayer thousands of pounds each year.

The council is working with the Surrey Counter Fraud Partnership, Raven Housing Trust and other social housing providers in the borough to launch a new publicity campaign Don’t stop his family having a home!

The council is asking for residents’ help by reporting suspicions they may have about fraudulent tenancy activity.

The council says its housing fraud investigators will act on referrals, which are treated in strict confidence.

Where fraud is uncovered, the affected properties will be put back into use for those waiting for a permanent home – giving families on the housing list a better life and saving taxpayers an average of £18,000 per home brought back into use.

Reigate and Banstead Council ‘s Executive Member for Housing and Welfare, Councillor Rita Renton said:

“We know that some families and individuals in need of housing are currently being denied it due to tenancy fraud.

“Social housing is a scarce resource which must be protected to provide homes for those with genuine need – not to be misused by fraudsters to make money at others’ expense.

“Fraudsters should be under no illusion that tenancy fraud is a crime – and we are working with the Surrey Counter Fraud Partnership to crack down on this issue and prosecute offenders.

“I would ask anyone with information about or suspicions of tenancy fraud to report it, so that we can investigate.

“Recovering properties saves valuable resources and gives honest families currently in temporary accommodation not only the chance of a new home, but a better life.”

The council says the most common types of tenancy fraud include moving out of social housing and renting it to someone else (sub-letting), as well as moving out of social housing and leaving it empty, providing false information to obtain a tenancy (deception) and making a fraudulent application to “succeed” – obtaining rights to remain in the property, after the current tenant dies.

Housing fraud also includes illegally passing social housing to someone else – and taking (or making) a payment for a mutual exchange.

The Surrey Counter Fraud Partnership (SCFP) was formed in 2014 to tackle fraud and has eight member districts.

Each district employs experienced investigators dedicated to examining potential frauds and tax evasion.

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Duncan Lewis housing solicitors can advise private sector and public sector tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including:

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For expert legal advice on housing law, contact Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

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