Housing Associations

Housing associations face a range of corporate fraud risk in addition to misuse of their housing stock. However, whilst fraud threat can present from within or external, it is not treated like a compliance risk compared to other issues such as disrepair.

Protecting People, Homes and Reputations from Fraud Risk

Since 2023, we have been on a mission with Paul Roberts (a non-executive in the sector from Newid Consulting) to challenge and educate the sector with respect to why fraud is underreported and losses are minimal compared to other sectors.

We have been working closely with the sector, maintaining ongoing dialogue with the RSH and actively engaging housing providers in open forums to discuss the realities of fraud focusing on four themes, we help housing associations understand their position on Awareness, Prevention, Detection and Recovery from fraud.

Numerous types of corporate fraud have been identified within this sector, with the most common types being payroll, procurement, cybercrime, fraud within the finance function, development fraud and estates and maintenance fraud.

If you want support on how to ensure you are compliant and how to respond if you suspect fraud or simply want to chat to us about what risks look like for the sector, please contact.

0121 796 4020

hello@tenetlaw.co.uk

¹ Regulator of Social Housing: NROSH + Fraud Reporting – Guidance for Registered Providers

Our expertise

Our experience in the sector is demonstrated by those who trust us. We bring our financial crime and fraud knowledge from a wide range of sectors to housing associations and our work in the sector has proved valuable when acting solely for registered providers to help them prevent or respond to fraud.

Examples of our wider credentials are:

Being the only specialist fraud law firm to contribute and advise on content to the National Housing Association’s (“NHF”) book on countering fraud.
Regular speaker at the NHF governance and finance conferences.
Financial crime consultant firm for Gallaghers, the leading insurance broker where we help their clients conduct ‘fraud audits’ and provide specialist fraud prevention training.
Key contributor to the Fraud Advisory Panel’s Tackling Fraud in Social Housing publication.

Worked with various learning & development teams to deliver fraud prevention training including from the G15.
Advised numerous housing associations on responding corporate fraud investigations, often employee fraud and cybercrime related issues.
Providing external whistleblowing support services to maintain independence from panel law firm providers and for the registered provider.

Key to any registered provider’s counter fraud and fraud response plan is knowing how to identify the risks their own organisation is at risk from and how to respond with the Regulator in mind and often having to consider wider issues such as safeguarding and reputation.

We know from our experience the impact on registered providers can be:

Financial damage
Reputational damage
Loss of moral / reduction of productivity

Re-training
Police and regulatory repercussions
Damage to relationship with funders

MLROs

Guidance for MLROs in Housing Associations

Housing associations are particularly vulnerable to money laundering even though, as a sector, this is not always recognised. Money launderers can target housing associations in many ways, from providing proceeds of crime to a tenant to fund a purchase, to using a property for illegal activities such as growing cannabis, drug dealing, human trafficking and prostitution.

Download

Fraud NOT on the agenda

Housing sector fraud risk

Introducing a thought-provoking whitepaper from Tenet Law and Newid Consulting, uncovering the hidden and often understated risk of fraud in the affordable housing sector.

In an industry where discussions on fraud risk frequently fall short, we’re shining a light on overlooked vulnerabilities and challenging the perception—and the data gaps—that suggest Registered Providers (RPs) are largely exempt from these risks. In reality, fraud vulnerabilities often lurk in plain sight, remaining unrecognised or misidentified, leaving providers exposed.

Download

Fraud… Nothing to see here!

Why another year of nil returns may not be as good as it sounds!

Introducing a thought-provoking white paper focused on the affordable housing sector co-authored by Tenet Law and Newid Consulting. This report challenges the perception that fraud risks are often understated among Registered Providers of affordable housing and explores proactive measures to maximise financial and social returns by combating fraud.

Download

Fortis

Policies & Procedures | Control Framework | Counter Fraud Training

Focussed, actionable advice and interactive training on counter fraud policies and procedures that demonstrate an organisation’s commitment to managing risk.

Find out more

Newsletter #1

As Safe as Houses

As Safe as Houses is our dedicated newsletter for the housing sector, combining our expertise and insights and offering practical steps to support your fraud prevention strategy, reduce exposure to fraud and helping you meet regulatory objectives.

Subscribe here and receive the newsletter direct to your inbox and if you have any questions or feedback on any of the articles please get in touch.

Download issue 1

Newsletter #2

As Safe as Houses

Subscribe here and receive the newsletter direct to your inbox and if you have any questions or feedback on any of the articles please get in touch.

Download issue 2