Success in campaign against homes fraud

Operation Red Card targets problems of illegally sublet properties, false applications for housing, and non-residency in order to reclaim any properties that are being misused so they can be reallocated to deserving people.

Now a property in the Foxwood area of the city has become the first to be repossessed as a result of the campaign. The tenant failed to get in contact with the council despite numerous attempts by council workers.

A warrant was applied for and the property was forcibly entered. The property had been emptied of all furniture, appliances, and personal effects and the tenant was traced to another property where he was living with a new partner.

He eventually agreed to relinquish the property instead of the matter being taken to court. The property should be available to be re-let in a matter of weeks.

The Audit Commission estimates that up to 50,000 social properties are being occupied unlawfully across the country.

At the same time housing waiting lists have grown by 50 per cent. The estimated savings to the council for each property recovered is 75,000 over a three-year period.

Tom Brittain, housing operations manager for York Council, said: "This result is great news and means that we can now re-let the property to bona fide tenants. The case shows that the council is tough on housing fraud and will not tolerate the misuse of its properties."

The new housing fraud initiative is a partnership between Veritau – the anti fraud organisation that works on behalf of City of York Council – and the council's housing and legal departments and a number of local housing associations.

A spokesperson for Veritau said the support of the people of York was key to success. "To report a suspected case of housing fraud please call our confidential hotline – 01904-552935 or email [email protected]."