Customer Services
Reporting Housing Fraud
Here at Merton Priory Homes we take illegal subletting and unauthorised occupation very seriously. Residents with Merton tenancies are not allowed to rent out their home and live somewhere else. This is called illegal subletting.
Unauthorised occupation is when squatters move into empty properties or when a tenant dies or moves out and a family member claims rights to remain but they do not meet the complicated rules that apply about taking over the tenancy.
We will investigate every case and take legal action to take back the property if we can. In 2010/11 we took back 9 properties due to housing fraud.
If you know or suspect housing fraud is taking place, including illegal subletting or unauthorised occupation, please let us know. Here are some of the types of housing fraud we want to know about:
- Anyone who is subletting a property or applying for the right to buy and living somewhere else;
- Anyone who has moved out and left a family member in occupation who has not got permission to take on the tenancy;
- Anyone who has moved into a property just before or after the tenant has died and is claiming rights to remain;
- Anyone who has not told the Housing Benefits team about someone else living in their home;
- Anyone who is working but has not told the Housing Benefits team about their income;
- Anyone who is renting their garage or parking space to another person
- If you suspect the person living in the property is not who it should be.
We encourage residents to report any suspected fraud. In order to act upon any information, we will require at a minimum the property address and the reason you suspect that fraud is being carried out. If possible we also require the names of anyone living in the property and / or a description of them.
In all cases even where you provide us with your name and address this information will remain confidential and will not be disclosed.
There are several ways to report housing fraud:
Online
If you suspect fraud you can tell us about your concerns using our online form.
You can also report it to the Department for Work and Pensions.
By phone
You can report cases of suspected fraud direct by calling Merton Priory Homes Income Team on 0300 500 3000.
Alternatively contact the Merton Benefit Fraud Investigation Section hotline on 020 8545 3223
or
The National Benefit Fraud Hotline 0800 854 440.
In person
You can tell us about suspected fraud by reporting it, confidentially, to your Housing Officer.
By Email
contactmph@circle.org.uk
In all cases we will work closely and share information and intelligence with Merton Council, the police and the benefits agency.
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