Fraudster sentenced for submitting false council housing application
Tuesday 26 August 2025: A woman has been given a suspended custodial sentence and ordered to pay more than £6,300 after a Hillingdon Council investigation found she submitted a fraudulent housing application despite having a permanent address outside of the borough.
She was also ordered to pay £6,167 to the council, a victim surcharge of £154 and attend 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.
Issa submitted a housing application to the council in February 2021 where she stated she had lived at a housing association property on Wraysbury Drive, Yiewsley, since 2009 but it had become overcrowded, and she wished to apply for a council home.
When a housing application is submitted, the council's fraud team conducts multiple checks to confirm its legitimacy. Providing false information on a housing application is an attempt to obtain services or property through deception and is therefore classed as fraud.
During their review of Issa's application, it was found she had links to an address in Southwark. Despite providing details that her living situation in Hillingdon had changed and that she required a council home, it was held by the court that at no point did she notify the council that she was residing away from the Hayes property and had done so for a considerable period of time.
In sentencing, Issa's defence stated the offence was not motivated by personal gain and that she had been attempting to help an ex-partner gain a tenancy as he had failed the initial checks.
However, magistrates took into account the cost incurred by Hillingdon taxpayers for the investigation, as well as the sustained dishonesty for a considerable period, ruling that she intentionally misled the authority.
Cllr Martin Goddard, Hillingdon Council's Cabinet Member for Finance and Transformation, said: "We're determined to ensure our residents live in safe, good quality homes and are protected from the risk of homelessness.
"With council homes in short supply and high demand, housing fraud limits the availability of properties for those in genuine need and puts additional strain on public resources due to the cost of providing temporary accommodation.
"Our counter fraud and legal teams work hard to thoroughly investigate all applications, and we won't hesitate to pursue legal action against anyone who seeks to take advantage of services and swindle the public purse."
If you suspect fraud against the council 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.
