Crack down on cheats

Friday February 5, 2010

Cheats who illegally sub-let council and housing association properties depriving genuine families of a home are being targeted in a zero-tolerance crackdown.

With some residents living in overcrowded conditions and needing to move for their health waiting their turn on the borough's housing waiting list, H&F Council launched the blitz earlier this month and is appealing for residents' help to catch the fraudsters who are cashing in at the expense of others.

Illegal subletting is when a tenant moves out and lets out the whole flat to someone else, netting themselves hundreds of pounds a month in profit.

All suspicions of illegal subletting - whether in a council or housing association property - can now be investigated by the council's Corporate Anti Fraud Service.

Councillor Lucy Ivimy, Cabinet Member for Housing said: "We have had enough of people profiting from some of the most vulnerable members of society by illegally subletting their homes.

"The message is clear - if you are illegally subletting your home we will find you and take it back, and you may face criminal charges."

The scheme is part of a national drive to clamp down on this kind of fraud and ensure that flats go to those residents who really need them and who are desperate to be re-housed.

Kate Davies, Chief Executive of Notting Hill Housing Group, said the organisation "always" takes illegal sub-letters to court.

She said: "Our homes are in high demand and we take a very dim view of tenants who, no longer needing one, sub let their home.

"Anyone who believes their neighbours are not the legal tenant should let us know straight away."

Shepherds Bush Housing Group Chief Executive Paul Doe, added: "Our frontline staff monitor occupiers when they make home visits, we also carry out phone checks on households and compare it to our records.

"We will also be asking our residents to report any neighbours they believe are subletting their home. We will complete a full investigation on anyone who we believe is subletting their home and breaching their tenancy agreement."

To pass on information call the Counci's corporate anti fraud service on 020 8753 1273 or email housing.investigations@lbhf.gov.uk. Anonymous reports will be accepted.

Case study

SUBLET CASE - 139D CONINGHAM ROAD, W12 8BU
SUBJECT: JOHN WASILKO
A telephone call to the fraud hotline claimed Mr Wasilko was not the resident and had been subletting for a period of more than two years. Council officers paid an unannounced visit and found illegal occupants; a young family with a child. During the visit the illegal occupants confirmed that they had found out about the property through a friend of a friend and that they were not aware that the property belonged to the local authority as their understanding was it was a private property whose owner lived in Canada. Further enquiries revealed that the tenant was also fraudulently claiming unemployment and housing benefits. A Notice to Quit was issued and the matter was not contested. The property was fully recovered last November.