Issue

tenancy fraud

7 stories · discussed at 13 council meetings · 9 councils

Councils are focused on recovering properties and funds lost to tenancy fraud, including fraudulent Right to Buy applications.

Hackney Council's Audit and Anti-Fraud Service reported in November 2026 that it has recovered over 1,100 properties since 2011 due to tenancy fraud. Lambeth Council recovered over £1.2 million in fraudulent Right to Buy discounts and 79 tenancies in July 2026, while Harrow Council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team recovered and avoided over £2 million in 2025-26.

Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Service recovered £475,553 and prevented an estimated £994,313 in fraud between April 2025 and March 2026, with tenancy fraud accounting for over 70% of its caseload. However, Harrow's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team was behind target on social housing unit recovery and Right to Buy fraud disruption in November 2025.

The Housing Scrutiny Committee at Camden Council is scheduled to discuss housing matters in November 2026. Tenancy fraud involves deception or misrepresentation to obtain or retain social housing unlawfully, such as illegal subletting or false applications, including those for Right to Buy discounts.

Key facts

  1. Hackney Council's Audit and Anti-Fraud Service recovered over 1,100 properties since 2011. Source
  2. Lambeth Council recovered over £1.2 million in fraudulent Right to Buy discounts and 79 tenancies in 2025/26. Source
  3. Harrow Council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team recovered and avoided losses totalling over £2 million in 2025-26. Source
  4. Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Service recovered £475,553 and prevented £994,313 in fraud between April 2025 and March 2026. Source
  5. Harrow's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team was behind target on social housing unit recovery and Right to Buy fraud disruption in November 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 5 November 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Hackney Council reclaims more than 1,100 homes from tenancy fraud Hackney Council Recovers Over 1,100 Properties Through Tenancy Fraud Investigations Hackney 5 November 2026
  2. Lambeth Council Recovers £1.2m in Right to Buy Fraud and 79 Tenancies Lambeth Council has successfully recovered over £1.2 million in fraudulent Right to Buy discounts, as revealed in a report presented to the Audit and Risk Committee. The... Lambeth 25 July 2026
  3. Harrow Council's fraud team recovers £2m Harrow Council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) has recovered and avoided losses totalling over £2 million in the last financial year, achieving a return on investment of... Harrow 21 July 2026
  4. Council fraud service recovers £475k Hammersmith and Fulham Council's Corporate Anti-Fraud Service (CAFS) has successfully recovered £475,553 through confiscation orders and prevented an estimated £994,313 in fraud... Hammersmith and Fulham 25 June 2026
  5. Lambeth Council Enhances Counter Fraud Measures, Focuses on Tenancy Fraud and Internal Investigations Lambeth Council is actively working to combat fraud, as highlighted in the recent Corporate Committee meeting on 27 November 2025. The committee reviewed the Counter Fraud... Lambeth 1 December 2025
  6. Harrow's Anti-Fraud Team struggles with housing fraud targets Harrow's Corporate Anti-Fraud Team (CAFT) is facing challenges in meeting its targets for recovering social housing units and disrupting fraudulent Right to Buy applications,... Harrow 29 November 2025
  7. Westminster's Fraud Team Uncovers Over £1M in Fraud Westminster's Fraud Team has uncovered over £1 million in fraudulent activity during the 2024/25 financial year, according to the Counter Fraud 2024/25 End of Year report. The... Westminster 12 July 2025