Tenancy Fraud - How are we doing
Dover District Council take Tenancy Fraud very seriously and take all steps and actions necessary to deal with potential cases and ensure our homes are let to those who truly need them and that no one is financially benefitting from subletting or key selling.
When tenancy fraud is being committed, our goal is always for the tenant to return the property to us. We can relet it to someone on the housing waiting list, however, we will seek to use our powers and prosecute where necessary.
We have a contract in place with Ashford Borough Council as they have a dedicated fraud team who can investigate cases on our behalf.
Here's how we've been performing in 2022-23:
- Ashford BC have investigated 9 Fraud referrals for housing cases using the powers under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud (Power to Require Information) (England) Regulations 2014, and The Council Tax Reduction Schemes (Detection of Fraud and Enforcement) (England) 2013.
- We have 6 Housing Officers and 2.5 Antisocial Behaviour Officers, who all investigate social housing fraud to a degree when reported. If there is sufficient information to take further, a referral is made to Ashford BC who can conduct interviews under caution. No prosecutions have been made from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2023.
- There are no professionally accredited counter fraud specialists in the housing team but there may be specialists in the Council Tax department.
- Total amount spent by DDC on the investigation and prosecution of tenancy fraud is £21,000 per annum.
- Total number of fraud cases investigated from 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2023 are 11 cases.
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