Fraud officers at social landlord Barnet Homes have enjoyed a score of successes in their first year of operation after recovering their 20th property from bogus tenants.
The housing fraud campaign has seen properties recovered from tenants who had council tenancies averaging 10 years each between them, freeing these homes up for individuals and families in genuine need.
Re-letting these properties to families currently living in temporary accommodation equates to an annual saving to taxpayers of more than £360,000 a year.
The campaign was launched by Barnet Homes in partnership with the council’s Corporate Anti Fraud Team in February 2011 to address the issue of illegal subletting of council properties and other housing fraud, which nationally is estimated to cost taxpayers up to £2billion annually.
The fraud officers have also been working with other registered social landlords (RSLs) to tackle suspected housing fraud in other affordable homes.
In the latest case, an Edgware taxi driver agreed to hand over his keys after he was found to be living with his wife rather than in his council flat. He had been subletting the property to his cousin for at least one year, so depriving a genuine tenant of the home.
Another new case saw a woman return keys to a council flat at the Dollis Valley Estate after obtaining three different tenancies with different surnames – her maiden name, the name of her first husband, and that of her second husband.
The fraud investigation, run jointly with Enfield Council, found that the woman was living in Enfield, with her children going to school nearby. The woman has also given up her share of a joint tenancy she held with her first husband.
Councillor Tom Davey, Barnet Council Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “It’s utterly unacceptable that people should profit illegally from subletting a property and at the same time effectively tie up a home which should help a family at the top of the housing list.
“At a time of significant housing need it’s important that Barnet Homes and council anti-fraud investigators continue to crack down on those intent on abusing the system.”
Barnet Homes Chief Executive, Tracey Lees, added: “We are very pleased that we have recovered so many fraudulently occupied homes over the first 12 months of our campaign. But the hard work continues to free up more of these properties for families in genuine need.
“We’re also very grateful for those who have reported their suspicions to us. It is often difficult to prove whether people are genuinely living in properties, and the evidence of neighbours can prove invaluable.
“I hope that people will continue to lend their support to this campaign and help us ease the pressure on council housing in Barnet, along with costs to the taxpayer.”
At the same time Barnet Council’s Corporate Anti-Fraud Team continues its work investigating fraudulent council tax and housing benefit claims.
Recent investigations carried out by the team include a five year probe to expose a scam to illegally pocket almost £112,000 of taxpayers’ money.
The investigation, codenamed Operation Avalanche, led to the conviction last July of four benefits cheats, three from the same family.
The culprits used multiple aliases and false identities to fraudulently claim housing and council tax benefits before using it to finance the purchase of properties.
Any resident who suspects housing fraud is taking place at council homes in Barnet should call 020 8359 2929 or email talk2us@barnethomes.org.