Delivering great housing services for thriving neighbourhoods Developing Partnerships to Tackle Fraud Who we are Munim Farid – Special Projects (Consultant) Karen Lengthorn – Special Projects Manager Carol Owen – A-FACT Manager Lewisham Council Juliet Bennett – A-FACT Lewisham Council Lewisham Homes in partnership with the Lewisham Council’s Anti-Fraud and Corruption Team (A-FACT) and South East London Housing Partnership (SELHP)

Delivering great housing services for thriving neighbourhoods Anti-Fraud & Corruption Policy Lewisham Homes has an approved Anti-Fraud and Corruption Policy through which it aims to eradicate fraud and corruption. Other Policies which strengthen its commitment include: Code of Conduct Board Members and Employees Gifts and Hospitality Wired Working Policy Whistle blowing Register of Personal Interests (PO9+) Maintenance of a Fraud Register Introduction of an Acceptable Use Policy (inc phone monitoring and use of CCTV

Delivering great housing services for thriving neighbourhoods Partnership Local Authority –A-FACT –Homeless Persons Unit –Housing Applications –Housing Benefit –Council tax –Registry Office –National Fraud Initiative London Borough of Southwark (SELHP) RSL’s Department of Works and Pensions

Delivering great housing services for thriving neighbourhoods Prevention and Detection of Fraud By Tenants: Occupancy Checks Detail Investigations ( A-FACT) Detail Investigations (South East London Housing Partnership) Including National Fraud Initiative By Officers Any incidents relating to officers are sent to the Anti-Fraud & Corruption Team to investigate and report back to Lewisham Homes SMT By Contractors and Suppliers

Delivering great housing services for thriving neighbourhoods How we receive and investigate referrals: Receive from Fraud Hotline Tenants and members of the public writing in Suspicious tenancy activity Staff Repairs and caretaking staff Contractors undertaking gas checks Use the following systems Data Analysis  National Fraud Initiative  Housing system  Housing Benefit  Council Tax  Customer View ( Experian)  Legal Landlord  Land Registry Door Knocking

Delivering great housing services for thriving neighbourhoods Results Oct 09 to Mar /11Total Since October 09 Cases Opened Cases Closed NTQ’s served NTQ’s withdrawn Genuine Occ’s confirmed Properties Recovered Rent owed £ 172, £ 124, £ 297, % Recovered following Occ Check 14.9%12.1%13.40% 49 Legal cases

Delivering great housing services for thriving neighbourhoods Sanctions Sub-Letting Civil Proceedings to recover property under Housing Act 1985 Civil Proceedings under ‘Unjust Enrichment’ recent test case (November 2010) tenant ordered to pay £7, property repossessed Criminal Prosecution under Fraud Act 2006 (undertaken where evidence is robust) Officer Fraud: Disciplinary action leading to dismissal Criminal Prosecution Or both Criminal Prosecution – may involve the use of Proceeds of Crime Act Publicity of successes

Delivering great housing services for thriving neighbourhoods Achieving it’s commitment Establishing an anti-fraud and corruption culture by: Issuing and updating procedures Publishing approach and successes Training Board members, Managers and officers Future Training of the Staff will include: ID Fraud and case studies Immigration status rules Rights of EU members to benefits within the UK How to produce witness statements for criminal prosecutions

Delivering great housing services for thriving neighbourhoods Finally together in partnership we can…