Stamping out tenancy fraud to reclaim homes for those in need

Its counter fraud team, working closely with housing services, investigates hundreds of claims of tenancy fraud across the borough and in the past year has recovered 112 council properties, collectively valued at £7.8 million.   

Council tenants who are cheating the system by illegally subletting, abandoning or not occupying their council home, are being encouraged to hand in their keys without fear of repercussions so the properties can be reallocated to people on the housing register to help address the high demand for council homes.  

The amnesty is an opportunity for keys to be handed in at the Civic Centre main reception. Tenants will need to bring photo ID and sign a form giving a few details about the property, including the address and its current condition and they must make sure the home is empty, and no one is living at the address to enable the council to take their name off the tenancy. 

Cllr Martin Goddard, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, said: "We are determined to create safe and strong communities and prevent homelessness.   

"Tenancy fraud is a serious issue that limits housing availability for those in genuine need and puts additional strain on public resources due to the cost of providing temporary accommodation.  

 "While most residents live in their homes legally, some do not. It's unfair for properties to remain empty because tenants have moved in with partners, live elsewhere, or illegally sublet their council homes.  

 "The amnesty applies only to tenants who come forward during the six-week period. If this campaign prompts someone to report a neighbour suspected of tenancy fraud, we will investigate as usual and pursue prosecution if we find they're committing fraud."  

 Tenancy fraud is not always easy to spot. Here are some things to look out for:  

• a change in who is living in the council property 
• a neighbour has passed away and a friend or family member is now living there 
• the property seems abandoned 
• a neighbour talks about their landlord as a person, rather than the council. 

If you suspect tenancy fraud is taking place, you can report it to the counter fraud team in confidence online at www.hillingdon.gov.uk/report-fraud, by calling 0800 389 8313 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) or emailing fraud@hillingdon.gov.uk 

 Alternatively, you can send a letter marked 'Private and Confidential' to: Counter Fraud Manager, 3N, Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW.