The demand for council homes has never been higher, which is why we strictly follow Barnet Council’s Housing Allocations Policy to house people who have applied for homes and are in the most need.
We are increasing the number of tenancy audit checks that are completed each year to make sure that our homes are being occupied by the legal tenant and to identify and prevent fraud.
Recently a council tenant was ordered to pay Barnet Council almost £130,000 after illegally subletting his Colindale council home for 16 years.
Mr David Lawal, 56, was ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work, pay a compensation order of £127,000, pay costs of over £20,000 and a victim surcharge of £100.
In terms of how we carry out checks, a Barnet Homes’ Housing Officer will visit you with an audit questionnaire and ask for identification for each tenant, as well as other household members.
We will then ask you to sign the completed questionnaire to update our records and take a photograph of you for future identification. It’s also a chance for you to ask any housing related questions.
Please note that tenancy audit checks are unannounced so don’t be alarmed if a Housing Officer knocks on your door! All our officers will be wearing their Barnet Homes I.D. badge.
If you know a council home is being sublet, please report this to us in confidence or anonymously by calling 0800 389 5225.