Right to Buy
Councils are focusing on preventing fraud in social housing, including Right to Buy applications, to free up homes.
Newham Council's fraud team prevented ten 'Right to Buy' applications and recovered eight properties through civil court actions in July 2026, resulting in notional savings of £0.336 million. This action aims to free up homes for vulnerable residents. Separately, Hounslow Council's Borough Council received a motion in September 2026, proposed by Councillor Sampath Mudaliar, suggesting measures to improve social housing utilisation, including a tenancy fraud amnesty and stronger action against illegal subletting.
The Right to Buy scheme allows council house tenants to purchase their homes at a discount. Councils are actively working to prevent fraud across various housing-related areas. Harrow Council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team recovered over £2 million in 2025-26, while Hammersmith and Fulham Council prevented £779,530 in fraud during the first half of 2025/26. Westminster's Fraud Team uncovered over £1 million in fraudulent activity in 2024/25.
Key facts
- Newham Council's fraud team prevented ten 'Right to Buy' applications in July 2026. Source
- Newham Council's fraud team recovered eight properties through civil court actions in July 2026. Source
- Newham Council's fraud team achieved notional savings of £0.336 million in July 2026. Source
- Hounslow Council's Borough Council received a motion in September 2026 proposing a tenancy fraud amnesty. Source
- Harrow Council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team recovered over £2 million in 2025-26. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on, with background from Wikipedia. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.