Hit squad targets illegal council home occupants
February 3, 2009 by Martin Hoscik · Leave a Comment
Council bosses in Barking and Dagenham are claiming a successful first year for a ‘hit squad’ tasked with identifying illegal occupants of council homes.
The team of experienced housing and audit officers has been operating since January 2008, since when it has identified 54 homes that had been illegally sub-let and has also stopped a fraudulent Right to Buy application.
Cllr Liam Smith, executive member for housing, said: “I am pleased that our dedicated team is cracking down on this widespread problem and putting a stop to this shameless profiteering.”
“We are determined to stamp out this illegal and immoral practice of having unscrupulous tenants profiting from other people’s misery, especially with 12,000 people waiting for a Council home.”