Tenancy fraud probe in Wolverhampton saves £1.2 million
Anti-fraud investigations by Wolverhampton council and Wolverhampton Homes have saved taxpayers an estimated £1.2 million last year, new figures reveal.
The counter fraud investigations team recently revealed it had uncovered 38 cases of Wolverhampton Homes tenancy fraud such as false applications and non-occupation of properties. The estimated value of this fraud was £684,000.
The update also showed there had been 931 cases of people falsely claiming the single person Council Tax discount with an estimated value of £230,000. It also revealed a total of 16 cases of Wolverhampton Homes properties being illegally sublet – estimated at £288,000.
Some of the more audacious frauds uncovered included a woman claiming to be homeless and sleeping on a sofa with her children forced to stay with relatives.
She had applied for a council house, but after investigation it was revealed she was not homeless at all and was actually living in a privately rented home. Her application was cancelled.
In another case, a man claimed to have five children living with him in an overcrowded house which gave him a higher priority on the housing waiting list and the offer of a three bedroom council property.
Investigations revealed that in fact only two children lived with the man and the property was not overcrowded. The housing offer was withdrawn.
The man refused to admit that he had lied on his application and took the council to court to try and get the decision overturned. The judge ruled in the council's favour, dismissed the case and awarded the council costs of almost £6,000.
Councillor Craig Collingswood, chairman of the council's audit and risk committee, said that investigating fraud and protecting the public purse was an important priority for the council and Wolverhampton Homes.
He said: "We have a zero tolerance approach to fraud. People who effectively steal from the public purse are not stealing from the council, they are stealing from fellow taxpayers who may be in genuine need.
"Tenancy fraud can be very attractive as a result of the increasing value of properties in the housing market. Every such fraud results in a property no longer being available for a genuine tenant."
