hods for Tackling Tenancy Fraud SUGGESTED & SUCCESSFUL METHODS FOR TACKLING TENANCY FRAUD Karen Connell 26 November 2013
HARROW SOCIAL HOUSING Approx 9,000 units of Social Housing in Harrow 5,000 Council, 4,000 Registered Providers 18 Sheltered Housing Blocks 4,500 on waiting list 900 Serious Housing Need
TENANCY FRAUD IN HARROW Invested in tackling Tenancy Fraud since 2010 in partnership with the Corporate Anti Fraud Team. Used pilot documentation from Southwark Council as background information to develop topic in Harrow. Applied for initial CLG funding in 2010. Successfully received 30,000 and all subsequent funding to date.
HOW WE SPENT CLG FUNDING Recruited 1 Housing Investigation Officer Recruited 1 Tenancy Audit Visiting Officer Investigation training for Investigation Officer & dedicated Housing Officer Two week key amnesty Presentation & training sessions for RP s. Printed and delivered posters endorsed with RP logo Experian Data Match exercise of all tenants Key Audit of housing blocks
METHODS FOR TACKLING TENANCY FRAUD Visiting Officer (Ten audits) Housing Officer (ASB/Fraud) Housing Investigation Officer
METHODS FOR TACKLING TENANCY FRAUD contd 2. High intelligence cases. Erect posters in vicinity of property and not only on the notice board. 3. Question neighbours. Be prepared with template witness statements 4. Very early & late visits with Corporate Anti Fraud Team 5. Tenancy audits to include looking in wardrobes, cupboards, sheds, garages. 6. Mortality list from local hospital by arrangement.
METHODS FOR TACKLING TENANCY FRAUD contd 7. Review declarations on tenancy agreement, tenancy audit forms, assignment and succession form. 8. Conduct tenancy audit blitzes to remind Housing Officers of their input and vigilance. 9. Ask for copies of CP12. Location of this form and signature comparison causes concern. 10. Target blocks for audits. Tenancy fraud in blocks is a theme for Harrow
CHALLENGES A shift of fraud focus corporately to Housing Department. Educate the loss to the public purse corporately and to other sections in Housing. Fraud is everybody s business Recruitment of Investigation Officers with generic skills. Creativity of where to target visits. Housing Officers unable to dedicate time and specialism to tenancy fraud.
CHALLENGES contd No Investigation Officer for five months. Definite impact on delivery. DWP Single Fraud Investigation Service. Transfer of Investigation Officers.
OPPORTUNITIES Sufficient funding to recruit another Housing Investigation Officer. Increase publicity and profile of tenancy fraud in Harrow. Literature, TV, Radio, Tenant Resident Associations, Public Health. Funding will support this. Volume of tenancy fraud work supported by the leader of the council and our port folio holder resulting in an increase in resources in the CAFT. Recovering properties helps to reduce the general fund by moving families out of B & B. Funding approval for BTEC level 5 training for HO
CASE STUDIES CASE STUDY ONE: Sole female tenancy Problems with access only responded to calling card. All male clothing in property and no female toiletries in bathroom. Tenant says she was a hairdresser. No hairdressing tools in property. Experian check linked her to New Zealand. Social Media profile states Senior Hairdresser in NZ. Agreed to terminate on this crucial piece of evidence.
CASE STUDIES contd CASE STUDY TWO Complaints received about storage in communal area. Housing Officer attempts to discuss with tenant failed. Always on holiday as per occupant who is tenants brother. Early morning visit with Channel 4 TV crew. Brother and his wife admitted living there for 14 years and not sure when sister will return from abroad. All utility bills in brothers name. Rent paid by tenant. Tenant terminated. Reason moving abroad to Tanzania
CASE STUDIES contd CASE STUDY THREE Neighbour reported tenant not living in property and it is being used as storage. A Right to Buy application was received and intercepted due to report from the neighbour. Investigation highlighted tenant s nephew was impersonating tenant and tenant was spending most of time in High Wycombe. At interview elderly tenant said he did not know anything about a RTB application and would like to hand back the keys as he rarely spent time at property.
EFFECTIVE PREVENTION Assist with tenant mobility Grant to Move Scheme Review Allocations Policy 100% New Tenant Visits Regular review of unauthorised occupant cases
WHAT NEXT FOR HARROW Review of Housing Applications. Invest in document scanners. Camera s for each Housing Officer. Aim to prosecute all going forward. Case management protocol between housing and CAFT for turnaround of cases. Educate Estate Agents in Harrow re tenancy fraud and the risk of prosecution for them. Join West London Fraud hub.
ANY QUESTIONS? Karen Connell Harrow Council 020 8416 8660 karen.connell@harrow.gov.uk