What you need to know about Housing Fraud
The law is set out in the Social Housing (Prevention of Fraud) Act 2013
We have noticed that we are receiving more and more instructions to act in Housing Fraud and unlawful subletting cases. Often clients come to us when called for an interview by the council or housing association. It has taken over ten years for the social landlords to start using the powers they have been given but they are using them now. It is essential that you receive legal advice before attending the interview. The investigators will have more information than you can imagine and you need to know what they know. We can find that out for you. Our fees are very reasonable and you will have the benefit of advice from lawyers who are BOTH criminal and housing law experts. Our fees are here View fees. We offer an all inclusive affordable price which includes:
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- Seeing you at the office
- Advising on your case
- Reading all the documents
- Attending any housing fraud Interview
If after the interview no further action is taken then that is the end of the matter. If it appears that you may be prosecuted then we can make representations on your behalf and start negotiations to try and avoid your being charged. In the many cases we have done far these negotiations have often been successful. This post interview work is charged at an hourly rate.
There are two main types of housing fraud:
Firstly subletting your council or housing association home without the written permission of the landlord. This is a new offence created by the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2103. The consequences can be serious and include:- An order for you to pay your landlord a sum equivalent to all the profit over the last 3 years
- An order for you to pay the sums lost by the council in housing homeless people elsewhere
- A term of imprisonment
- Loss of your property
We will represent your very best interests. You will get:
- Full advice on your case
- Full disclosure of the evidence against you
- Attendance and advice at the interview
- Post interview advice
- Representation where required