A YORK tenant has been ordered to leave their council home - because they have been living abroad.

York County Court made the order because the tenant's main home was in Turkey - freeing the York property for people on the city’s housing waiting list.

The ruling was made after a joint investigation by the housing department and Veritau, City of York Council’s fraud investigation service.

According to the latest estimates by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), in 2019/20 housing fraud cost the public purse £122 million. This includes misuse of a council property, for example where someone is no longer using it as their ‘main and principal home’.

Tenants who intend to leave their property for more than one month are required to notify their estate manager under the terms of their tenancy agreements.

Fraud officers worked in collaboration with the housing officers to investigate the case, after a routine visit to the property led to concerns that the tenant was not in the country, the court heard.

The investigation found that the tenant had not used their council property as their principal home for several years. Instead they spent the majority of their time in Turkey, the judge was told.

The tenant contested the ending of their tenancy and the matter was heard by York County Court in July 2021.

Deputy District Judge Madeline Nix ruled in favour of the council, saying the tenant’s principal home was abroad and not in York.

The court granted a possession order, giving the tenant six weeks to surrender the property back to City of York Council.

Councillor Denise Craghill, executive member for Housing and Safer Neighbourhoods, said: “Social housing must be protected and reserved for those who need it most. This tenant had not been using their council property correctly for a number of years during which time others have been waiting to be housed.

“The possession order means that this property can now go to someone who really needs it. The council cannot tolerate misuse of its properties. We will take action to prevent abuses and recover homes where appropriate.”

If you have concerns about potential misuse of council housing, and want to speak to someone the Veritau team are available to help provide guidance and information. You can contact their anonymous hotline on 0800 9179 247 or you can email fraud@york.gov.uk.