L&Q recovers millions in public funds by tackling tenancy fraud head-on

As part of International Fraud Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the impact of our tenancy fraud team in reclaiming homes and safeguarding public resources.

We have made significant strides in the fight against tenancy fraud, recovering 67 homes from fraudulent occupancy in the first half of the 2024-25 financial year alone.

With each reclaimed property saving the public approximately £42,000, these efforts have protected an estimated £2.8 million of taxpayer funds and made homes available for families in genuine housing need.

The work of our dedicated five-member fraud team covers a broad range of investigative activities, from tackling illegal subletting and non-occupation to scrutinising succession and assignment applications.

Tackling tenancy fraud requires coordination between partners, and we have a range of data-sharing agreements to ensure effective action is taken when needed.

Every investigation is handled by accredited professionals, ensuring both rigour and adherence to legislation including the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act. When evidence warrants, we pursue prosecution to hold those guilty accountable and deter future fraud.

In addition to comprehensive desktop research, we have ramped up our outreach and engagement activities. Between April and September, our fraud team completed 76 investigative visits, many out-of-hours, to thoroughly assess potential fraud cases.

Building on previous initiatives, we have also delivered a Tenancy Fraud Awareness session for residents, empowering them to identify and report suspicious activity.

In October, the team launched an interactive, in-person fraud training course for staff across the business, fostering an organisation-wide culture of vigilance against tenancy fraud. Cross-departmental shadowing, which began last month, further strengthens this culture by providing colleagues with a first-hand look at our fraud team’s impactful work.

Nicola Evans, Tenancy Fraud Manager at L&Q said:

“Subletting is not just illegal; it denies deserving people a place to call home. With the housing crisis at breaking point, every property we reclaim is a win-win – freeing up a home for those in genuine need and saving taxpayers’ money. Our investigations are ongoing, and we will continue to take firm action against anyone exploiting the system.”

In one notable case, our fraud team discovered that a resident had been subletting their social home while also owning and living in a private property. As a result, a court issued possession of L&Q’s property and an Unlawful Profit Order (UPO), which requires the resident to repay the profits made from this fraudulent activity.

The resident agreed to a 10-year repayment plan that will allow us to claim funds from their privately owned home if they fail to meet the terms.

While UPOs can be difficult to enforce—because they often don't carry penalties like criminal cases—we worked with the resident to establish a repayment schedule.

This practical solution allowed the resident to make manageable, ongoing payments, avoiding the challenge of recovering a large lump sum in one go.

We encourage residents who suspect tenancy fraud to report their concerns confidentially online or to your Neighbourhood Housing lead.

As a leading housing association, we remain committed to ensuring that social homes are available to those who genuinely need them, and community involvement is a vital part of that mission.

Learn more about tackling tenancy fraud.