Social housing fraud

The Council is committed to ensuring that fraud is prevented, detected and investigated fully and that the appropriate action is taken. Social housing tenancy fraud is a serious crime that can result in a jail sentence and it denies people in need the opportunity of a home. Fraud can occur in many ways

• subletting a social housing property to someone else who is not the tenant 
• providing false information in a housing application to gain a tenancy 
• unlawfully passing the social housing property to a relative or friends
• not living in the property as the main home, abandoning the property, or selling the keys 

In 2012 it was calculated that it costs the taxpayer £18,000 for every misused social housing property. Today that figure is likely to be much higher. The Council has a responsibility to protect public funds and ensure that any allegations of fraud or corruption are fully investigated. For that reason the Council works in partnership with Reigate & Banstead Borough Council with a dedicated team of qualified and accredited investigation specialists to

• prevent and reduce the risk of fraud 
• detect and investigate allegations of fraud 
• take legal action against those committing fraud

A woman with two children applied as homeless after being evicted for rent arrears. She provided a bank statement to support her application. This was identified as a fraudulent document, provided to deceive the authority for her own personal gain. As a homeless person she could have been offered social housing, however trained staff spotted the false document. The Council prosecuted her and she pleaded guilty to two counts of forgery. She is currently awaiting sentencing – update to follow.  

The Council’s tenancy audits help uncover potential fraud. Tenancy audits involve Housing staff visiting all Council homes to look around the property, confirm who is living there and to check it is being looked after in accordance with the Tenancy Agreement.

If you wish to report suspected fraud, please contact the Council on 01932 838383. You can do this confidentially if you prefer.

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