A couple faced a hefty £22,500 bill for retaining a council property while owning a five-bedroom house in South London. Uchenna and Nkeiruka Nzekwe acquired a mortgage-free home in Croydon but also held onto a three-bedroom council residence on Fir Trees Close, SE16, where they did not reside.
Southwark Council’s Housing Investigation Team initiated an inquiry in October 2022 based on an anonymous tip alleging that no children had ever lived at the council address. Subsequent investigations revealed that the Nzekwe family did not occupy the property themselves but allowed extended family members to use it.
During questioning in February 2024, Mr. Nzekwe acknowledged that his family utilized both homes. He argued that the Croydon house was designated “in trust” for his daughter and therefore did not need to be declared. Despite being cautioned about potential legal consequences for not surrendering the tenancy, the couple failed to present a formal defense and were subsequently barred from doing so by the court.
On October 1, Clerkenwell and Shoreditch County Court granted Southwark Council possession of the Fir Trees Close property. The couple were instructed to vacate within 14 days or face eviction by court bailiffs. Additionally, they were ordered to pay over £6,000 in occupation charges and £16,500 towards the council’s legal expenses.
Councillor Michael Situ, Southwark’s Cabinet Member for Housing, emphasized the detrimental impact of tenancy fraud on those genuinely in need of council housing. He emphasized the council’s commitment to investigating and taking action against such fraudulent activities, highlighting the potential consequences including losing the council home and facing legal penalties.
Residents were encouraged to report suspected tenancy fraud anonymously to safeguard council homes for individuals who require them. Southwark Council reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on all fraud forms, with its Housing Investigation Team uncovering tenancy fraud exceeding £1.5 million since April 2025.