A tenant who allowed a relative to live in her council flat while she was living abroad has handed back her keys following an 18-month fraud investigation by Barnet Homes.
The relative pretended to be the tenant while living in the one-bedroom flat in High Barnet but refused to meet with Barnet Homes staff, instead complaining of harassment in a succession of letters.
When the real tenant returned, she claimed that she had always lived at the property, though neighbours did not recognise her or her baby and she could not provide sufficient proof of residency.
Under the terms of their tenancy agreement, tenants must use their council property as their principal home.
The tenant threatened legal action against Barnet Homes for harassment, but backed down when the case came to court and volunteered to return the keys. Court costs were awarded against her. Barnet Homes has now repossessed the property and it will be offered to people in genuine housing need.
Since launching a fraud campaign in early 2011 Barnet Homes has repossessed almost 40 council properties, working in partnership with Barnet Council’s Corporate Anti-fraud Team (CAFT).
Barnet Homes Chief Executive, Tracey Lees, said: “We’ll continue to relentlessly pursue those tenants who cheat the system by renting or lending their homes. They are contributing to the severe pressures on social housing in Barnet, and that’s simply unfair to the many individuals and families who approach us for housing and who are in real housing need.
“We hope residents will continue to lend their support to our tenancy fraud campaign and get in touch if they have any suspicions that their neighbours aren’t genuine tenants.”
Tenancy fraud is set to become a criminal offence and perpetrators could be asked to provide compensation to cover the costs of temporary accommodation for individuals or families who could otherwise use the home.
Any resident who suspects housing fraud is taking place at council homes in Barnet should call 020 8359 2929 or email talk2us@barnethomes.org.