Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud

(Paperback, 2nd edition)

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Description

In response to social housing fraud, the Government introduced the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013, which made sub-letting and parting with possession of social lets a specific criminal offence and granted local authorities the power to prosecute those who had acted in such a manner. Not only can offenders be jailed, but they can also be fined and ordered to pay an unlawful profit order, thus opening up a revenue opportunity to cash-strapped social landlords. Social housing fraud is an important and high profile issue. This title provides a thorough overview of this regime and how local authorities can maximise their chances of recovering possession of properties affected by fraud, obtaining compensation and securing a conviction, including techniques for effective evidence gathering. Topics covered, include: - Possession action in the county court - Sub-letting/parting with possession - Investigation powers - Criminal offences and procedure - Civil remedies - GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018 For ease of reference, relevant primary and secondary legislation has been included within the appendices, which also includes templates for: Particulars of Claim (county court), Complaint (magistrates court) Notice to Quit and Notice Seeking Possession. There is also a useful landlord checklist, to ensure nothing has been overlooked during what can be a complex process.

Author Bio

Andrew Lane is a barrister with Cornerstone Barristers, a leading national chambers, with extensive local authority experience. Andrew has particular expertise in advising and acting for social landlords. Before coming to the Bar he worked in advice work in both the statutory and voluntary sector and was for four years, in the early 1990s, a local councillor on Oxford City Council, including a period as Chair of the Housing Committee.