Agenda item

Sinem Yinak, Assistant Director, Housing Management and Stephanie Toghill, Head of Housing Investigations presented a report on Islington’s Council approach to Tenancy Fraud. The following points were noted :-

·       As a follow up to the previous meeting, Committee is receiving a detailed report on Council’s approach to Housing Fraud.

·       With regards to tenancy fraud within housing associations, meeting was advised of recent changes, that it now retains the nomination to properties that it recovers which is over and above nomination rights that are in place with Housing Need and Housing Allocation, where previously council will charge a fee to undertake investigations.

·       Right to Buy applications are thoroughly assessed and checks are carried on rent arrears and council tax to ensure that no fraud is being committed.

·       It was noted that although income has increased as a result of recovering rent arrears, more work is being undertaken by the Income team as Council recognises that this is essential so as to ensure the Council it can be used for its residents going forward.

·       Islington’s Specialist team is unique in comparison to other authorities as it is under the Housing Directorate rather than the Corporate Fraud Team and this enables the Council a more holistic approach when it comes to housing management issues such as ASB breaches and rent arrears.

·       There has been a major push from the investigation team in trying to raise awareness of tenancy fraud both internally and externally which has resulted in an increase in referral for example the recovery of £264,056 through illegal subletting.

·       Tenancy fraud is noticeable in short- term letting which has a detrimental effect and officers are working hard to clamp down on these activities and is presently involved in a pilot which will address this issue.

·       Officers recognise fraud of different types and are resolute to instances that involve organised criminal activities and are sensitive with cases that have some element of safeguarding and succession. Each case is investigated thoroughly with a view of retrieving homes that are being sublet illegally and allocated to those residents on the housing register.

·       Meeting was advised that appeals of succession cases are dealt with by the Head of the Investigations team as stipulated by the Housing Allocation procedure. In terms of refusal rate of succession applications, meeting was advised that this information will be provided at a future meeting.

·       On the issue of leaseholder and increase in council tax for a non-residential lease, the Corporate Director advised that clarification would be sought with the finance team for a written response which will be sent onto members.

·       In response to a question on the existence of any comparison data of tenancy fraud between the Council and Housing Association, Manager advised that there is no consistent recording in existence as they are not regulated at all.

·       Meeting was advised that due to some good ongoing work, some housing associations have been able to recover over 170 properties noting that Regulator of Social Housing is being lobbied to ensure that it is high on the agenda nationally.

·       With regards to Airbnb and short letting, meeting was advised of it being a high risk area in that obtaining evidence of fraud is only possible through a court order as there are data protection rules.

·       The Chair thanked officers and the Housing Team for their good work, noting that the press had picked up the good news.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.