Bogus Right to Buy claims stopped as Hackney Council crack down on housing fraud

A blitz on housing fraud in Hackney has resulted in nine bogus Right to Buy applications being cancelled since last April.

A total of 78 fraudulent or unauthorised tenancies have also been stopped in that time, with recovered homes going to some of the 2,300 households on the council’s waiting list.

The crackdown comes after 135 homes were recovered from improper use in the year 2014/15 – that’s more than double the London average and 20 times the national average of seven.

Since 2010, a total of 591 homes have been given to families on the waiting list after officers found wrongdoings.

Including housing associations, across Hackney there are also 387 current investigations.

Hackney housing chief Cllr Philip Glanville revealed the figures in light of the Channel 4 Dispatches investigations into Right to Buy fraud.

He said: “I hope that provides a glimpse of Hackney Council’s commitment to stopping tenancy fraud, as well as fraudulent Right to Buy applications, and to ensuring that social housing in the borough goes to those most in need.

“If you know of any properties that you suspect are being used fraudulently, please let us know on 0800 3286340 or at housingfraud@hackney.gov.uk.”