Tenancy Fraud Officer

Swindon Borough Council; Swindon; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Swindon Borough Council is seeking a Tenancy Fraud Officer to join the Corporate Fraud Team. You will identify, investigate and prevent tenancy fraud, carrying out tenancy audits, property visits and evidence gathering.

You will report to the Principal Auditor and work with partner agencies to support enforcement, while promoting fraud awareness across the Council. The role requires travel around the borough, a DBS check, and a commitment to integrity and professional standards.

Qualifications

• Experience in housing fraud investigations or related compliance roles.
• Ability to travel across the Borough.
• Hybrid working with 2 office days per week.
• Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) required.
• Fluent English is essential.
• Knowledge of housing legislation and tenancy agreements desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead on identifying, investigating and preventing tenancy fraud across the borough.
• Carry out tenancy audits, visit properties and gather evidence.
• Work with colleagues and partner agencies to support enforcement activity.
• Produce clear reports and manage a varied caseload.

Skills

Investigative skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Interviewing

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Tenancy Fraud Officer

Ref: 179656

Salary: £36,363 p.a. plus benefits

37 hours per week

Swindon Borough Council are on an exciting journey to transform service delivery. We want our town to be the best it can be. Our ambitious vision in the new Swindon Plan is supported by realistic transformation programmes, with the people of Swindon at their heart. Because that's who we're doing it for - the communities and businesses that make our town great. As part of the Council, you'll support a friendly local authority making decisions with real impact. It's all for better public services. Better processes. And a better quality of life, for everyone. Join us, and Swindon will be better with you.

Your next role

We're looking for a motivated and inquisitive Tenancy Fraud Officer to join our Corporate Fraud Team. This is an opportunity to make a direct impact by protecting valuable council housing and ensuring homes are available for those who genuinely need them.

Reporting to the Principal Auditor, you will lead on identifying, investigating and preventing tenancy fraud across the borough. Using intelligence, data analysis and a proactive approach, you will investigate suspected unlawful subletting, false applications and other tenancy-related fraud. You will carry out tenancy audits, visit properties, gather evidence and work with colleagues and partner agencies to support enforcement activity where appropriate.

This role requires someone who can combine strong analytical skills with excellent communication and investigation techniques. You will be comfortable reviewing data, identifying unusual patterns, interviewing individuals, writing clear reports and managing a varied caseload.

You will also play an important role in promoting fraud awareness across the Council and within local communities, encouraging the reporting of suspected fraud and supporting a culture of prevention.

We're particularly interested in candidates who can demonstrate:

• Strong investigative, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Experience of gathering, evaluating and presenting evidence.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and interviewing.
• The ability to work independently, make sound judgements and manage competing priorities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and partnership working skills.
• A commitment to integrity, professionalism and safeguarding public resources.

Knowledge of housing legislation, tenancy agreements and housing fraud is desirable, although we welcome applications from individuals with transferable fraud investigation, enforcement or compliance experience. The successful candidate will be supported to work towards the Accredited Counter Fraud Specialist (ACFS) qualification if they do not already hold it.

The ability to travel throughout the Borough is required to undertake tenancy audits, property visits and investigation activity. Access to a vehicle is therefore essential.

The team operates a hybrid working model with fraud officers expected to be in the office at least two days per week.

You will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service Check.

You must be fluent in the English language (as a requirement of Part 7 of the Immigration Act "for the effective performance of a customer-facing role").

Your next package

Please see our Rewards and Benefits offer for more details.

As an employee, you will receive a diverse and exciting environment in which to work, encouraging creativity and innovation whilst recognising the need to support ongoing personal development and a flexible work life balance.

For Swindon to thrive in the future, we need to lay the foundations now. It's why our regeneration and transformation programmes are already underway. So, you'll be joining us at an exciting time on our journey. We'll look to you to share your knowledge, influence decisions and drive real, positive change. With your contributions, we'll achieve our vision of a prosperous, revitalised Swindon together. And you'll be proud to say it was made better with you.

Please see our Vision and Values page for more details and our new Swindon Plan.

Potential applicants are sometimes put off if they don't meet 100% of the requirements. We think individual experience, skills and passion make all the difference, so if you meet the majority of the criteria, we'd love to hear from you.

Your next steps

Please read the role profile, which is available in the documents section to the righthand side of the page. To submit an application for this role, select Quick Apply.

As an inclusive employer, we welcome applications from a diverse range of communities, and in particular disabled people and people from ethnic minorities. Read our statement of commitment to equality & inclusion.

For further information about the role please contact Nikki Soave, Head of Internal Audit & Corporate Fraud, [e-mail]

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early so early applications are encouraged.

If you are experiencing technical issues submitting your application, please email [e-mail]

Closing date: 14 September 2026

Interview date: w/c 28 September 2026