Dudley Council housing tenants in fraud shock

Dudley Council chiefs have launched more than 170 housing fraud investigations in 12 months – and have hired a special officer to investigate any scams.

Fifty tenants were caught breaking the rules with some sub-letting their homes to make money. Other cases included people who remained in a home without the council's permission after the tenant had died.

A total of 173 investigations were carried out, with some still ongoing.

Six people were axed from the council's waiting list for properties after they made a 'fraudulent application' during the 2012/13 financial year, council bosses said.

Fifty-one of the cases were closed with no fraud being detected while the remaining investigations are continuing.

The figures were released in the council tenants annual report, which also revealed the authority has recruited a fraud officer to help improve its detection rate in the current 2013/14 financial year.

It is working with other organisations across the region to help tackle housing fraud and has received Government cash to continue its work. The report shows there has been a 10 per cent reduction in complaints received about the housing service, which looks after 23,000 homes in the borough. The number dropped to 278 from 310 in the previous year.

In addition, the report includes details of the council's investment programme, which shows £59.5 million was spent on repairs and improvements during the 12 months.

Councillor Steve Waltho, cabinet member for housing, said: "We have joined a regional group and are working with other local authorities and social housing providers to ensure a robust approach to prevention and detection of fraud across the housing stock in the West Midlands." A fraud hotline has been set up on 01384 814242.