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The Tenancy Fraud Forum (TFF)

John Bearcroft, TFF
June 2017

The TFF was launched in 2012 and is an independent organisation specifically dealing with Tenancy Fraud.  It is a National platform for the representatives of the numerous regional Tenancy Fraud Forums and for staff of Housing Providers strongly involved with the investigation of tenancy fraud to come together to raise awareness of this type of fraud, how to combat it and for the sharing of best practice.  The TFF main aim therefore, is to bring all Social Landlords together to work collaboratively to combat tenancy fraud.

The group meet approx. quarterly and discuss various issue regarding tenancy fraud including awareness campaigns, actions and successes, legal updates and, one of the most important tasks – the setting up of the TFF Conferences.  There have been two very successful, sold-out conferences to date, with a further Conference schedules for October 2017.  The Conferences have covered numerous fraud related issues such as identity verification, unlawful profit orders, Right-to-Buy Fraud, joint working and evidence gathering.

At present, 6 regional TFFs are represented, including members from London, Gloucestershire, Hereford & Worcestershire, Dorset, Oxford and Hampshire.  Work has also been carried out to assist groups in Cambridgeshire, Devon, Dorset, Essex, Hertfordshire, North West, Northern Ireland, South East London, South West London, Suffolk, Surrey, Swindon, Wales and West Midlands.  TFF members have also visited Scotland and Northern Ireland, providing advice and assistance on tenancy fraud and the benefits of setting up a regional group.  Support and information is also provided to groups and individuals regarding best practice and the setting up of more regional TFFs.

TFF - Tenancy Fraud Fourum

Information and advice is also given through a Yammer group on Housing, Tenancy and Proactive Fraud actions, including reports of successes and best practice.  Periodically, the TFF produces a publication ‘Knock. Knock’ which is full of news and tips to tackle tenancy fraud.  On some high level subjects, Counsel’s Opinion is obtained to provide information and legal advice on common, more complex issues.

The main purpose of the TFF is to reduce tenancy fraud and its impact on organisations and, more importantly, individuals who, due to fraud, are not able to obtain the assistance they need with their housing issues.  Social housing is very limited resource and therefore, it is important that it is fairly allocated to those in highest housing need and continues to assist the rightful tenants with their needs.

Get Housing Fraud Training

This year’s TFF Conference is being held in London on 26th October 2017.  The past Conferences have proved very popular and therefore. Early booking is essential.  Planned sessions included in this year’s Conference include Data Sharing, Money Laundering, dealing with short-term sub-lets/rentals, use of social media and the internet in gathering evidence, conducting interviews  and the work of the National Fraud Initiative.  There will also be numerous stands from key partners in the tackling of tenancy fraud. 

THE CONFERENCE IS NOW SOLD OUT

Banana and Crunchie Loaf

Banana & Crunchie Loaf

You will need :

  • 200g self raising flour
  • ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 75g butter
  • 175g caster sugar
  • 2 or 3 mashed bananas
  • 2 Crunchie bars, roughly chopped

Method

  • Pre-heat oven to 180°c
  • Grease & line the base of a ½ kg/1lb loaf tin
  • Put flour, bicarb, salt, eggs, butter & sugar in a bowl & stir
  • Add the mashed bananas & stir
  • Add the chopped Crunchies & stir
  • Bake for approximately 1 hr 10 mins until risen, golden brown & a skewer inserted in the middle comes out clean
  • Check after 35-40 mins & if top is browning too quickly slide a piece of kitchen foil loosely on top of the cake
  • Cool for 5 mins in tin before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely

 

Don’t Mess with Listed Buildings!

Two home-owners, including a member of the Council, have been prosecuted by Wealden District Council for causing “irreversible changes” to a Grade 2 listed building. The changes to the 14th Century building, known as The Priest House which is in Hellingly, included the creation of a full height entrance hall through removal of ceilings and partitions, affecting the area for where there is anecdotal evidence for a priest hole; glazing of a partition; and removal of the barley twist bannisters and associated bannister rail to the staircase and replacing them with glazed panels.

Cllr Barby Dashwood-Morris, of the Priest House, Church Lane, Hellingly, pleaded guilty to six charges of causing works to be executed, for the alteration of the Grade II listed building, without obtaining the proper consent from the Council. Alan Proudfoot, of Goult in France pleaded guilty to four charges of making alterations to a listed building.

“The changes to this important listed building came to light when the owners attempted to sell the property,” said Kelvin Williams, Wealden’s District Council’s Head of Planning and Environmental Services. “Owners of historic properties should be aware of their responsibilities to the property and future generations. We will take action when necessary to protect the important heritage of our District.”

The District Judge at Brighton Magistrates Court on 3 May fined Cllr Dashwood-Morris £75,000 and ordered her to pay £40,000 towards the Council’s costs. Alan Proudfoot was fined £48,000 and was also ordered to pay £40,000 costs.

Get a Professional Qualification in Investigation

Your Reputation is at Risk…

…if you do not keep your eye on the opportunistic fraudster!

The regulator has warned associations to keep reputational risk in mind now that new freedoms to dispose of stock, merge, and restructure without consent are in place.  Now that the regulator’s consent powers have been reduced, much of the risk rests with the RSL sector. Social Landlords will have to think carefully about how what they are doing affects their long-term reputational risk.

One risk that’s not specifically mentioned, but that is worthy of consideration nonetheless, is the risk of fraud.  This can arise in many ways, not just from the ever-present risk of sub-letting and abandonment.  In a deregulated market, every sale will be subject to scrutiny and one fraud risk that all HAs will wish to rule out is that of corrupt influence on sales.  This could arise as a result of an undeclared conflict of interest, for example, or by a member of staff giving a prospective purchaser the ‘inside track’ on proposed stock disposals.