Harlow Council uncover 29 cases of housing tenancy fraud

LAST week, we reported on a court case where a Harlow couple had defrauded Harlow Council by providing false information regarding their earnings

We asked Harlow Council about their system for clamping down on housing tenancy fraud.

Councillor Mark Wilkinson, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “This case highlights complex issues facing the council in dealing with housing tenancy fraud. These fraudulent activity includes making false housing applications, the subletting council homes, misleading the council into getting a home by making fraudulent claims, leaving a council house empty, or someone having a council tenancy but not living in the property.

“The council will use all the powers it has available to crack down on housing tenancy fraud. This case in question highlights where council housing applications are made by deception which led to a two bedroom home being given to a family. The property has been taken back and allocated to another local family on Harlow’s housing needs register. There is an acute shortage of social housing in the town so defrauding the council in this way is simply not acceptable.

“The council has a number of robust policies and procedures in place for assessing housing need and allocating social housing and we employ an officer dedicated to investigating housing tenancy fraud.

“In the last 18 months, the council has carried out 242 tenancy checks. As a result of these checks, 29 council homes have been recovered due to housing tenancy fraud. A further 16 applicants have been removed from the housing needs register, three applicants have had their housing allocation banding changed and the Housing service has discharged their duty to house a further 15 applicants. Five right-to-buy applications have either been cancelled or had a household member refused due to non-occupancy. Of the 25 cases that are currently open, we have received outright possession orders in court for three homes and are waiting on bailiffs appointments.

“If any resident suspects that housing tenancy fraud has been committed this can be reported to the council in complete confidence on 01279 446353 or at housingfraud@harlow.gov.uk.”