Ealing Council says a crackdown on tenancy fraud has saved an estimated £1.1 million in public funds, freeing up money to be spent on local services.
Since April 2024, the Labour-run council has recovered 26 unlawfully occupied homes and prevented 22 fraudulent tenancy applications. The properties have been re-let to some of the 7,500 families on the borough’s housing waiting list.
Previous years saw eight fraudulent applications stopped in 2021, 10 in 2022 and 19 in 2023.
In one case, Ealing Council discovered a tenant was sub-letting a council property in Hanwell to relatives while owning another home. Financial records and land registry checks revealed illegal rental income, and the property was recovered.
Another investigation revealed a tenant living in Northampton who had sub-let their Southall council home. The case came to light after a sub-tenant, unaware they were renting illegally, reported being locked out.
Tenancy fraud, including sub-letting without permission or providing false information, is a criminal offence. The Tenancy Fraud Forum estimates that each fraudulently occupied social home costs the public around £42,000.
Councillor Louise Brett, Ealing’s deputy leader and cabinet member for safe and genuinely affordable homes, said tenancy fraud “deprives families who genuinely need these homes” and places “unnecessary strain on public resources.”
Residents can report suspected tenancy fraud via the council’s website, by calling 0800 328 6453, or emailing fraud@ealing.gov.uk
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