Tackling Tenancy Fraud at Dudley MBC. May, 2014

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1 Tackling Tenancy Fraud at Dudley MBC May, 2014

2 Framework Creation of Dudley s Tenancy Fraud Team Introducing the Team Our First Year Case Studies Our Next Steps Contact Details

3 Creation of Dudley s Tenancy Fraud Team Presumption that there was no tenancy fraud in Dudley widespread belief that this was a London problem. Further research showed that this was not the case and that specialist officers were needed. The Tenancy Fraud Team went live 1 st April, 2013 Role of the team

4 Introducing the Team Tracey Rowe Team Manager for ASB and Tenancy Fraud - 28 years in housing Harjinder Sidhu Housing Fraud Officer -Over 10 years of fraud experience in banking sector - Experience of fraud, money laundering and terrorism investigations Charlotte Fisher Housing Fraud Officer -5 years working in a Housing Management environment -Experience of Housing Applications and lettings.

5 Our First Year Develop new working practices and processes Performance reporting Team Training Developing partnerships

6 Our First Year Publicity and Marketing- incl. Fraud Hotline Case Management - Software Procurement & Development Attendance at Corporate Fraud Investigators Group Tenancy Fraud - Staff Road Shows

7 Our First Year referrals received during the year 16% confirmed as fraud 16% of cases are still under investigation where fraud is suspected. Recent promotion of service increase in reports

8 Our First Year Type of Fraud Case Detected Value K Not using as main home Sub-letting Tenancy obtained through deception Housing Application Dual Tenancy 2 36 Right to Buy 1 33,250 Unlawful succession of tenancy 1 18 Total 84 1,365,250

9 Case Study 1 Background Tenant left her property and moved out of the borough to live with her boyfriend, her daughter remained in the property. Tenant in receipt of full housing benefit. Investigation Benefits team did not want to investigate due to lack of evidence and HM had previously investigated and confirmed that there was no proof that she had moved out, even though the suspicion was there. TF Team completed credit checks, liaised with the local authority for the address she had moved into. TF obtained evidence and statements from the other housing provider. We then interviewed the tenant. Conclusion Property recovered after the tenant was asked to voluntarily give up her tenancy. DMBC decided against legal action due to the age of the tenant.

10 Case Study 2 Background Received an allegation that tenant had owned a property at the time an application was made for housing. Investigation TF Team completed a land registry search which confirmed ownership of a property. The application was reviewed and confirmed that the tenant had not declared this on the form. Credit checks were also completed to determine living arrangements at the time of the application and for the present day and also confirmed that the tenant had a mortgage at the undeclared address. Tenant called in for an interview. Conclusion Tenant admitted the ownership of the property but maintained it was after the application for housing. Tenant not willing to give up tenancy voluntarily and we are currently seeking possession,

11 Our Next Steps We are looking to prosecute our first case of Tenancy Fraud. RIPA To continue joint working with other housing providers to build on existing successes. Working closely with internal teams, in particular our RTB and Application Teams (modernising policies and procedures).

12 Our Next Steps Chair of WMBUS Greater links with Housing Associations in the region. Data matching exercises Procurement of credit reference agency

13 Our Next Steps Procurement of document checking system Agile working Promotion of our service

14 Contact Details Fraud Hotline Fraud.Tenancy@dudley.gov.uk Contact number