H&F Cracks Down on Housing Fraud in the Borough
18 council homes recovered from people committing fraud
33 cases of fraud were identified last year. Picture: AI generated
September 14, 2026
Hammersmith & Fulham Council has recovered 18 council homes from fraudsters after a major crackdown on housing scams, with officers uncovering more than £700,000 worth of fraudulent activity across the borough.
The council’s Anti-Fraud and Housing teams identified 33 cases of housing fraud in 2025/26, ranging from illegal sub-letting and bogus housing applications to attempted Right to Buy scams. Their investigations led to 18 council homes being reclaimed and reallocated to residents in genuine need.
One of the most striking cases involved a fake overcrowding application linked to a property in White City. Officers discovered that the tenant was actually living in the United States, using an alternative surname and a US passport. Faced with extensive evidence, the tenant agreed to surrender the council home.
Cllr Rowan Ree, Cabinet Member for Finance and Reform, said the results show the council’s determination to protect scarce housing stock. “We will not stop in our fight against housing scammers. These homes are vital to the council’s support system for residents in need. This work forms part of our crime-fighting service and ruthless financial efficiency programme as we make H&F a stronger, safer and kinder place.”
Cllr Frances Umeh, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, said officers are working tirelessly to ensure fairness. “We will not tolerate fraudsters denying families access to housing. Officers are working diligently to stop all forms of housing fraud and ensure council homes are allocated fairly and protected for residents in genuine need.”
The council’s Anti-Fraud Team works across departments to investigate suspicious activity and reduce the risk of fraud, bribery and corruption. H&F also participates in the National Fraud Initiative, which uses advanced data-matching algorithms to flag unusual patterns and potential fraud in real time.
In 2025/26, the team prevented an estimated £994,000 of fraud and recovered more than £475,000 through court-issued confiscation orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act — a demonstration of the council’s commitment to protecting the public purse.
Residents who suspect fraud in H&F are encouraged to report it online or call the anti-fraud hotline on 020 8753 1273.
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