Crime Solicitors

Isleworth Crown Court has jailed a man who obtained a council house by deception and falsely claimed housing benefit and Council Tax benefit.

Social housing publisher 24 Dash.com reports that Ijaz Qayum, 48, of Taywood Road in Northolt claimed thousands of pounds from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the local council.

In 2007, Qayum and his wife, Saiqa Khan, 42 – who was also charged – had obtained a council property in Hanwell as the result of a joint homeless application.

However, at the time, they had also just bought a property in Northolt on the open market.

The couple went on to claim Housing Benefit and council tax relief on their council home over a period of six years between 2006 and 2012.

During the period they claimed benefits and lived at their council home, they rented out the property they owned, but failed to declare any change in circumstances.

The council’s audit and investigation service worked closely with housing officers to investigate the couple and discovered they had obtained the council tenancy by deception – and had made rental savings of nearly £61,000 through their rent being subsidised and significantly lower than private sector charges for rental accommodation in the area.

At the same time, investigators discovered the couple owned and rented out a property in Northolt, and earned income from the rent paid on this rental income. They also had capital in bank accounts and had been overpaid by more than £11,000 in housing and council tax benefits.

A notice seeking possession for the council property was issued to the couple before it was surrendered in 2013.

Cabinet member for finance, performance and customer services, Councillor Yvonne Johnson, said:

“Mr Qayum chose to flout the law, taking money away from those who are in genuine need.

“He behaved dishonestly over a prolonged period when he should have declared a change in circumstances – resulting in the strong action the council has taken against him.”

At Isleworth Crown Court, Qayum was sentenced to a total of 15 months in prison, after previously pleading guilty to six offences involving housing and benefit fraud.

The court sentenced Qayum to four months and 15 months respectively for the first two counts to run concurrently. He was ordered to pay a statutory surcharge of £100. No further penalty was added for the other charges.

It is likely he will now have to repay the monies he obtained by deception under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Duncan Lewis Benefit Fraud Lawyers.

Duncan Lewis benefit fraud lawyers can advise at any stage of a charge for benefit fraud or obtaining a council house by deception.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and a criminal defence lawyer can attend an interview under caution with the Department for Work of Pensions.

Duncan Lewis is a leading provider of Legal Aid crime lawyers.

For expert legal advice on benefit fraud, call Duncan Lewis benefit fraud lawyers on 020 7923 4020.