A major London council has launched a major crackdown on sub-letting within its borders, preventing nearly half a million pounds of fraud.
Hammersmith & Fulham Council’s Anti-Fraud Team has caught out 26 housing scammers, halting more than £475,000 worth of fraud being carried out by the sub-letting fraudsters – a problem that continues to be a major headache for both the private and council rented housing sectors.
Tip-off
In one case, the council team received a tip-off about someone illegally sub-letting a three-bedroom property in Strode Road, Fulham (pictured).
The council investigators discovered the tenant was living in East London and their bank statements revealed rent payments from family members who were resident in the West London property.
The tenant decided to give up the property before going to court because of the significant evidence against them.
We will not stop in our fight against housing fraudsters.”
And the council says that in the last year, over 25 properties have been recovered thanks to the Anti-Fraud Team.
Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, Hammersmith & Fulham Council
Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, says: “We will not tolerate people exploiting council homes in this way. Our council homes are there to support residents in genuine need.
“We will not stop in our fight against housing fraudsters as we make H&F a stronger, safer, kinder place.”
Rooting out
Frances Umeh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, Hammersmith & Fulham Council
And Frances Umeh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, adds: “We’re determined to put fairness at the heart of housing in H&F.
“We’ll continue rooting out fraud wherever it hides, so that families waiting patiently and rightfully have a safe place to call home.”