Former resident held accountable for tenancy fraud
A former L&Q resident was found guilty of tenancy fraud.
The former resident illegally sublet his home and gave false details in a Right to Acquire application.
This case marks L&Q’s first tenancy fraud prosecution, highlighting the organisation’s commitment to upholding fairness in social housing.
In a sentencing hearing on March 31, Mr. Nosa Ogie received five concurrent two-year suspended sentences for attempting to purchase his L&Q-managed social home through fraudulent means.
He was also ordered to complete 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £2,800 in legal costs.
Mr Ogie had been illegally subletting the property for six years while submitting a false application through the Right to Acquire scheme.
Additionally, he made a separate fraudulent attempt to buy a social home managed by Barking and Dagenham Council under the Right to Buy scheme.
Initially convicted in 2023, Mr. Ogie appealed the decision but later withdrew his appeal at a pre-trial hearing in March 2024.
He was charged with four offences under the Fraud Act 2006 and one under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013.
The case came to light in February 2023 when council officers processing a Right to Buy application flagged inconsistencies in Mr. Ogie’s records. Further inquiries revealed he was also a tenant of a one-bedroom property at Robert Lewis House, Barking, which is managed by L&Q.
A joint investigation by the council and L&Q confirmed that Mr Ogie had applied to purchase the same home under the Right to Acquire scheme, without disclosing his existing tenancy.
L&Q and Barking and Dagenham Council fraud officers launched a criminal investigation, which led to legal action.
Nicola Evans, Tenancy Fraud Manager at L&Q, highlighted the significance of the case, stating:
“Partnership working is fundamental to tackling social housing fraud and ensuring a fair system.
By working together to gather evidence, bring the case to court, and reclaim this property, we've secured a permanent home for someone in genuine need.
This is a great result for residents, the wider community, and ultimately, the taxpayer too.”
In the first half of 2024-2025, L&Q recovered 67 homes from fraudulent occupancy. Each reclaimed home saves approximately £42,000 of public funds, meaning these efforts have safeguarded an estimated £2.8 million of taxpayer money.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said:
“I would like to appreciate the sterling work of our Right to Buy Sales and Letting team and colleagues from L&Q for being able to unearth this fraudulent and dishonest act.
“The actions of this person have not only deprived another household the opportunity of a roof over their heads, it also shows their dishonesty knows no boundaries.
People who think they can get away with fraudulent activity against the council should know that we will find them, and they will be prosecuted.”
L&Q is committed to ensuring our social homes go to those who genuinely need them. We encourage residents who suspect tenancy fraud to report their concerns confidentially online or to their Neighbourhood Housing lead.