Agenda item - Tenancy Fraud Amnesty Briefing

Report of the Executive Director for Neighbourhoods, Communities & Housing (copy attached).

25.1    Rachel Chasseaud, Head of Tenancy Services, introduced the report and highlighted:

• An amnesty was beginning at the beginning of December to potentially gain properties back that may have been sub-let.
• The Housing team were working alongside the tenancy and fraud team.
• The keys to the properties could be returned to the Council anonymously and the resident would not be prosecuted. It was a cost effective way to regain properties.
• Similar amnesties had been successful in other authorities.
• The residents were encouraged to report and fraud suspicions they may have.
• It had been advertised in Homing In, on social media and posters had been distributed.
• There would be a feedback report presented at the Area Housing Panels in March.

25.2    In response to queries from the Panel the Head of Tenancy Services clarified:

·         A tenancy fraud case must have substantial evidence to take the tenant to court and gathering this could be lengthy. The tenancy fraud team currently had two members of staff and there were approximately 100 active cases. The cases with the most evidence would be prioritised.

• Local Councillors and residents would receive feedback regarding how many properties were regained in the amnesty.

25.3    RESOLVED – That the Panel agreed to note the report.