duration

Location
Virtual

Using recent case studies, this event shows how leading landlords are using manageable controls and data checks to tackle tenancy fraud and deliver results – so you can prevent issues earlier, evidence decisions better and recover properties faster. Members will receive the Tenancy Fraud toolkit!

  • Read more

    Tenancy fraud takes homes away from people who need them and damages trust. In this practical event, chaired by HQN Director, Damian Roche, you will hear from practitioners in councils and housing associations about how they dealt with real cases, plus a legal session to highlight the requirements of housing providers.

    You’ll see what worked, what didn’t and the simple steps you need to take to detect, prevent and respond to fraud.

    Why now?

    This event will ensure you have the tools and the knowledge to successfully recover homes and money and go away with a plan to put into action.

    • It’s a new financial year – make sure you’re ready for it:
      • Set targets and checks from day one
      • Plan your data matching and tenancy checks for 2026/27.
    • Reassure leaders and boards with clear actions and metrics – demonstrate your homes are going to those in real need
    • Put learning into practice – turn recent court outcomes and real examples into actions you can deliver in the coming months.

    What we’ll cover:

    • From tip‑off to recovery: referrals, evidence, civil or criminal route
    • What speeds things up (and what slows them down)
    • Metrics that matter: homes recovered, time to recover, money saved or repaid
    • The essential toolkit – simple documents that help: short referral forms, evidence logs, clear sign‑up declarations.

    Ahead of the session, we’ll invite delegates to submit questions so speakers can tailor the discussion to current challenges.

    HQN members will receive a copy of the toolkit. If you’re not a member, get in touch to join.

  • Our speakers

    Damian Roche, Director, HQN
    Damian Roche is a Director at HQN and lead specialist on the consumer standards and the regulatory framework. He has played a key role in HQN’s consultancy work as the framework has developed – supporting councils, housing associations and ALMOs with self-assessments, evidence packs, gap analysis and improvement planning to strengthen inspection readiness.

    His areas of expertise include tenant and wider stakeholder engagement, governance and assurance, housing management and complaints management and learning; helping organisations show clear oversight and effective grip from board to frontline. Damian is a regular speaker at HQN events and has devised and delivered practical workshops and toolkits to help providers prepare for regulatory scrutiny, including resources focused on lettings and empty homes processes.

    Damian also brings substantial operational experience, with 20+ years in the housing sector, much of it at senior/executive level, including eight years as Director of Customer Experience at Accent Housing.

    Katrina Robinson MBE, Legal Director, Birketts
    Katrina is a Legal Director in Birketts’ social housing team and a nationally recognised expert in tenancy fraud and housing management law. She has over 30 years’ experience, including senior in-house roles with local authorities and housing associations, where she was Head of Legal and led award-winning teams, including the Law Society’s Best In-House Team.

    Katrina is a founding member and Chair of the Tenancy Fraud Forum, supporting housing providers across England to prevent, investigate and prosecute tenancy fraud. She has secured some of the highest unlawful profit orders in the country, including awards of £158,000 and £132,000 and regularly advises landlords on complex fraud cases, enforcement strategy and evidential issues.

    Alongside her fraud specialism, Katrina advises on wider housing management matters including disrepair and antisocial behaviour. She is Co-Chair of the Social Housing Law Association (SHLA) and was the instructing solicitor for SHLA in Churchill v Merthyr Tydfil, a landmark case on compulsory mediation. Katrina was also appointed Independent Adjudicator for Grenfell.

    Clients have described Katrina as “a force to be reckoned with” and “frank but warm”. Her training sessions are known for being practical, engaging and accessible, with feedback including “finally legal training that makes sense”. She was awarded an MBE in 2017 for Services to Social Housing.

    Stephanie Toghill, Head of Housing Investigations, London Borough of Islington
    Stephanie is currently Vice Chair of the Tenancy Fraud Forum and was one of its founding members.  She also sits on the executive board for the London Boroughs’ Fraud Investigators’ Group and heads up the housing investigations team for Islington Council.

    Stephanie has over 15 years’ experience in addressing tenancy fraud and is renowned as being a specialist in her field. During that time, not only has she provided assistance to over 150 housing associations on best practice in tackling tenancy fraud, but has also provided training, wrote several guidance documents and also advised on the creation of the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act.

    She was also instrumental in pursuing and obtaining a landmark Norwich Pharmacal Order against Airbnb to obtain data from them regarding tenancy fraud.

    Jessie Napier, Tenancy Fraud Senior, Southern Housing
    Jessie Napier is a housing fraud specialist with 18 years’ experience tackling tenancy fraud as both an investigator and manager. She is currently Tenancy Fraud Senior at Southern Housing, leading work to improve detection and recover homes for those in genuine need.

    Jessie is also a committee member of the Tenancy Fraud Forum, a not-for-profit network that shares best practice and supports social landlords to prevent and address tenancy fraud.

    With a strong knowledge of housing law and experience across civil and criminal cases, Jessie is particularly passionate about practical, frontline approaches that help landlords spot fraud earlier and take effective action – especially at a time of exceptional demand for social housing.
  • Programme

    9:30am Welcome and introductions

    Damian Roche, Director, HQN

    9:40am A legal perspective on tenancy fraud: What landlords need to know

    Katrina Robinson MBE, Legal Director, Birketts
    • The legal context around tenancy fraud and why it matters for landlords
    • Key considerations when identifying, investigating and responding to suspected fraud
    • Practical legal insights to help organisations take confident and proportionate action.

    10:30am A housing association’s approach: Prevention, detection and recovery in practice

    Jessie Napier, Tenancy Fraud Senior, Southern Housing
    • How Southern Housing is approaching tenancy fraud in practice
    • Lessons from frontline work on prevention, detection and case management
    • Reflections on challenges, successes and developing an effective response.

    11:20am Break

    11:35am HQN tenancy fraud toolkit: A practical walkthrough

    Damian Roche, Director, HQN
    • An introduction to HQN’s tenancy fraud toolkit and how it can support landlords
    • Practical tools and approaches to help strengthen day-to-day fraud work
    • Ideas for using the toolkit to review and improve current practice.

    12:10pm Islington Council’s approach to investigations and enforcement

    Stephanie Toghill, Head of Housing Investigations, London Borough of Islington
    • How Islington Council is tackling tenancy fraud through investigation and enforcement
    • Practical insights from casework, partnership working and service delivery
    • Lessons that could help other organisations strengthen their own approach.

    12:50pm Peer breakout discussion: How is your organisation tackling tenancy fraud and what are the challenges you come across?

    • Common challenges and emerging themes in tackling tenancy fraud
    • Different organisational approaches and shared learning from practice
    • An opportunity for delegates to put questions to the speakers and join the discussion.

    1:15pm Wrap up and key takeaways

    Damian Roche, Director, HQN

    1:30pm Close

  • Cancellations and substitutions

    If you are unable to attend an event or public training course, please let us know in writing (email is fine) at least 48 hours before. Please email [email protected]

    Otherwise, a cancellation fee of £60 plus VAT will be chargeable.

    If you are using a package place to attend and do not inform us within the agreed time frame, then a place will be taken to cover your non-attendance.

    Cancellations must be made in writing and will be acknowledged by HQN Limited.

     

  • Price and booking

    Bookings are closed for this event.

    If you experience any issues when submitting your booking, please email [email protected] with the name and date of the session along with the delegate name(s), email address(es) and job title(s) and we'll process the booking for you.

Dates



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