social housing fraud
Havering Council is implementing measures to combat social housing fraud, while Harrow's anti-fraud team faces challenges meeting recovery targets.
Havering Council is implementing measures to combat social housing fraud, as confirmed by Councillor Robert Whitton in September 2026. This follows a Council meeting on September 2, 2026, where Councillor Stephanie Nunn highlighted estimates that 3-5% of England's social housing stock is affected by tenancy fraud. Specific details of Havering's new measures were not elaborated upon.
Meanwhile, Harrow's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team is struggling to meet its targets for recovering social housing units and disrupting fraudulent Right to Buy applications, according to a report presented in November 2025. In contrast, Waltham Forest's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team recovered 26 properties and prevented two fraudulent Right-To-Buy applications between April and August 2025, as detailed in a report from October 2025.
No upcoming council meetings are currently listed with social housing fraud on their agenda. Social housing fraud involves deception or misrepresentation to obtain or retain social housing unlawfully, including illegal subletting or false applications, and fraudulent activities related to the Right to Buy scheme.
Key facts
- Havering Council is implementing measures to combat social housing fraud, confirmed in September 2026. Source
- An estimate suggests 3-5% of England's social housing stock is affected by tenancy fraud, cited in September 2026. Source
- Harrow's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team is behind target on recovering social housing units and disrupting fraudulent Right to Buy applications, reported in November 2025. Source
- Waltham Forest's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team recovered 26 properties between April and August 2025. Source
- Waltham Forest's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team prevented two fraudulent Right-To-Buy applications between April and August 2025. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. 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.