Home fraud tenants warned of crackdown

Hull Council said it would deal sympathetically with cases put forward by tenants until November 8, but would take a hard line.

Coun Mike Ross, portfolio holder for customer and neighbourhood services, said: "The council recognises that there will be some people involved in tenancy fraud who may not have set out to break their tenancy conditions.

"It may be that their circumstances have changed and they did not think they needed to inform the council.

"If you are at all concerned about your situation please contact the council so that if there is a problem it can be resolved."

After these three weeks the council will take firm action against anyone who is found to be abusing the system.

The council said that included people taking a home that they are not entitled to; swapping homes without the council's consent; staying in a council property after the legal tenant has left the property or died, without informing the council; obtaining a council home by giving false information; and council tenants letting out their home.

The council said: "Before the crackdown, Hull City Council wants to give those tenants who may be involved in tenancy fraud a chance to come forward and sort the situation out, rather than face being reported by someone else.

"If you think that you may have been involved in any type of tenancy fraud you can come forward between 18 October and 8 November and the council will decide the best way to deal with the situation. The council will take into account all of the circumstances and consider the welfare of those involved."