Landlord and Partner Commit Fraud

The Magistrates recently prosecuted a landlord, who helped his partner claim an overpayment in benefits, which amounted to more than £25,000. The prosecution of Mohammed Abul Khayer, the landlord who was caught in a major crackdown, by the Luton Council has resulted in the prosecution of 22 local residents. Khayer – the landlord - and Rezwana Nehar – his partner – 29 years old living in Ellerdine Close, Luton were found guilty by Luton Magistrates Court as they were giving false information when claiming payment housing and council tax benefits, which actions resulted in the overpayment of almost £25,000. On several of the claim forms, Mrs. Nehar failed to indicate her and her children’s family relationships with Mr. Khayer, the landlord. The fact was also concealed by Mr. Khayer, the so-called “landlord”, who supported the deception by providing the Council with the written documentation, which supported the applications for housing and tax benefits. The surname was deliberately missed off the documentation to hide the family connection with the claimant. According to the housing benefit regulations, people and their children, related to their landlord cannot receive housing benefit payments. The Court sentenced Nehar to 18 weeks of imprisonment, 12 months of suspension, and 3 months of curfew from 8 p.m. to 7 a.m. In addition, she has to pay £250 in Council costs. As for the “landlord”, Mr. Khayer, he was sentenced to 200 unpaid hours of Community Order work and a fine of £250 in Council costs. Paul Taylor, who takes the post of Investigations Manager, said that the Council usually welcomes the sentencing in such cases; at the moment, the Council is planning to recover the overpayment, which amounted to £24,770, through civil procedures. He added that the housing benefits system is for people who need it, not for fraudsters.