Every year, the council’s counter-fraud team recovers around 80 homes that have been subject to tenancy fraud – with more than a third of them having been illegally sublet for profit.
In the first quarter of 2024-25 alone, the team has recovered 32 tenancies, of which 16 had been sublet by the former tenants.
Mandatory reviews of all applications for tenancies to be transferred to another person – for example, after the original tenant dies – have led to around 40% of all tenancies being recovered after fraudulent applications were identified.
Full details of Lambeth’s drive to tackle the issue of council tenants subletting their council flats illegally were published at the latest Full Council meeting, on 17 July, in response to a question from Cllr Pauline George.
Word from the Cabinet
Cllr Danny Adilypour, Lambeth’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Housing, Investment and New Homes, said: “We are dealing with a housing crisis and a critical shortage of social housing in Lambeth, so we are determined to make sure that every council home goes to someone who needs it.
“A determined minority is trying to take advantage of the support we have for those most in need, and we’re doing everything we can to tackle this housing fraud wherever it rears its head. The prevention and investigation of the subletting of council tenancies, along with all other types of tenancy fraud, is a major focus of the Counter Fraud Service.”
The nine-strong counter fraud team deals with all aspects of tenancy fraud: investigating subletting is a key focus, along with non-occupation, succession and assignment application and Right to Buy fraud. The team receives many reactive referrals and carries out proactive exercises to identify potential tenancy fraud.
Investigations are carried out by accredited professional investigators, and the teams seeks prosecutions, where evidential and public interest tests are met, under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act.
The council is planning to refresh online tenancy fraud awareness delivered later this year, for all officers working in areas where tenancy fraud may be identified.
Residents who suspect tenancy fraud is being committed can report it to the council online, in confidence.
Cllr Adilypour added: “The prevention and investigation of the subletting of council tenancies, along with all other types of tenancy fraud, is a major focus of the Counter Fraud Service.
“Prevention is key with Housing officers being provided with bespoke fraud prevention face-to-face training sessions that are delivered by the Fraud Prevention Officer accompanied by one of the two team managers who oversee tenancy fraud investigators.”
