‘Persistence Overcomes Resistance’
In this presentation, Richard Bellis, Head of Supported Housing at Affinity Sutton, discusses an innovative approach to combating tenancy fraud. Focused on the essential roles of Neighborhood Auditors and a structured Investigative Process, he outlines how persistent strategies led to the recovery of 33 properties and heightened fraud awareness. Key initiatives include the Tenancy Check Program, unannounced visits, and effective collaboration with local authorities. Bellis emphasizes the importance of continued vigilance, good information sharing, and the power of persistence in overcoming resistance.
‘Persistence Overcomes Resistance’
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Presentation Transcript
‘Persistence Overcomes Resistance’ Richard Bellis Head of Supported Housing (London) Presentation date 2 March 2011
What I’ll cover • Affinity Sutton’s approach • Role of Neighbourhood Auditors • Investigative process • Tenancy Check Program • Successes • Observations
Affinity Sutton’s approach • Employed 2 Neighborhood Auditors • Funding through SELHP helped us to: • Train staff • Develop paperwork • Take on more complex cases • Raise fraud awareness generally • Set up dedicated fraud phone line and email address • Purchased Experian ‘CitizenView’
Neighbourhood Auditors Role • To ensure that the legal tenant is living at the property and the property is not being illegally sublet. • Work on NFI database • To update information about tenants which will help with the future planning of our services • To provide information on the services that we provide • To identify residents that require additional support
Investigative Process • Referral received • Unannounced visit • Verify Identification/Confirm Occupancy • ‘7day letter’ to contact us for appointment • Further ‘stronger letter’ • NTQ • If suspicious following visit/no response to NTQ further investigations carried out
Tenancy Check Program • Carry out ‘Block Audits’ • Work with Housing Officers to identify blocks to prioritise • Don’t leave until they’ve verified every tenancy! • Verified 172 tenancies • Recovered 5 properties this way
Successes • 33 properties recovered in total • 4 ongoing court cases • Using CLG figures that’s worth £2.4 million • 6 recovered through NFI • Prevented 2 residents obtaining stays in arrears cases • 8 people referred for support • Residents happy that we are taking action
Observations • Good information sharing essential • Subletting linked to other problems/crime • Need to work with Local Authority • Tenancy misuse, not just fraud. • When there’s a change to a tenancy agreement, there’s an opportunity for fraud • It’s a game of ‘Brinkmanship’ • ‘If it doesn’t sound right, it probably isn’t’ • ‘Persistence Overcomes Resistance’
