A Nottingham City Council property in the Heathfield area of Nottingham has been recovered following a successful tenancy fraud investigation.
Concerns about the property first came to light during routine enquiries connected to a Right to Buy application, and the subsequent investigation found that not only was the tenant seeking to buy the property not living in it, but also that they had supplied false information in their housing application.
The tenant had submitted a homeless housing application which resulted in them being allocated the two-bedroom property on Tunstall Drive – however, they failed to disclose that they already held another Nottingham City Council tenancy, and used an alternative surname and incorrect National Insurance number in their homeless application.
Additional evidence gathered during the investigation revealed that the majority of their financial, administrative, and day-to-day activity was linked to a third address in Nottingham – this one not council housing.
As part of the investigation and legal proceedings, the tenant was interviewed under caution, the Right to Buy application was denied, and an eviction notice (Notice Seeking Possession) was served. At the ensuing Court hearing, a consent order was agreed requiring the tenant to give up the property.
When they failed to comply with the order, the Council applied for a warrant of eviction.
The property was recovered this week, and the Council is now preparing it to be re-let to a family in genuine housing need.
Councillor Jay Hayes, the Council’s Executive Member for Housing and Planning, said, “Council housing is a vital and limited resource that must be protected for those who genuinely need it.
“This case demonstrates the Council’s commitment to identifying and tackling tenancy fraud wherever it occurs. By taking action against those who obtain or retain council housing dishonestly, we can help to make sure that more homes are available for people and families in genuine housing need.
“I would like to thank the officers involved in this investigation for their thorough work in securing this outcome.”
