0:00:02 > 0:00:03There were flies everywhere.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05Everyone deserves a safe place to live.
0:00:05 > 0:00:08You've got a choice of the tomahawk or the bayonet.
0:00:08 > 0:00:11But with rents rising and demand increasing,
0:00:11 > 0:00:12it's getting harder and harder
0:00:12 > 0:00:15to find a secure place to call home.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18I'm a little bit concerned about what's happening here.
0:00:18 > 0:00:21I'm Matt Allwright and I'm back with the Housing Enforcers.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23That worries me a bit there, look.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26We've got the biggest stinging nettles in the world.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29I'm on the front line with those fighting for the right
0:00:29 > 0:00:30to decent housing...
0:00:30 > 0:00:34The amount of money they owe, it's in excess of £100,000.
0:00:34 > 0:00:35YELLING
0:00:35 > 0:00:38..as local councils and housing associations
0:00:38 > 0:00:41battle problem properties and slum conditions...
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Hyde housing, is there anyone in there?
0:00:43 > 0:00:45..as they deal with dodgy landlords...
0:00:45 > 0:00:47He just said he was selling the house.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49- When did they tell you that? - A couple of weeks ago.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50..nightmare neighbours...
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- She doesn't like you.- She hates me.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54Would you want either side evicted?
0:00:54 > 0:00:55- No.- ..and everything in between...
0:00:55 > 0:00:58There was a shed here, look. There's the base for it.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01..to help those in need of a happy and healthy home.
0:01:01 > 0:01:03Doesn't leave you with a good feeling, though.
0:01:03 > 0:01:04That's a tough job.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Today, in Peterborough, one tenant's passion for chips
0:01:14 > 0:01:16is putting his neighbours in danger.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18You don't like to go to the chip shop or is it cheaper?
0:01:18 > 0:01:20- It's cheaper.- It's cheaper?
0:01:20 > 0:01:22Oh, right. Oven chips the way ahead?
0:01:22 > 0:01:23Yeah.
0:01:25 > 0:01:27- In London...- It stinks.
0:01:27 > 0:01:31..housing officers discover a property in a shocking condition.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33He used to buzz all the other neighbours
0:01:33 > 0:01:35until we let him in the first security door,
0:01:35 > 0:01:37and then he used to kick his own door in.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40In Wiltshire, the clock is ticking for this young mum-to-be
0:01:40 > 0:01:42to get into a new home.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45I want to try and give my baby, like, the best future I can
0:01:45 > 0:01:47possibly try and give her.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52And down in Southampton, tensions rise as we try to gain access to an
0:01:52 > 0:01:54illegally sublet flat.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Is that evidence of the police battering ram?
0:01:56 > 0:01:58Yeah, that would be to gain access.
0:01:58 > 0:02:02So, yeah, there has definitely been some activity in there.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Finding a suitable place to call home
0:02:09 > 0:02:12for you and your family has never been harder,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15especially for those on a restricted budget.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19But low rent shouldn't mean your house doesn't live up
0:02:19 > 0:02:23to the same basic standards as everyone else's.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26Fortunately, there is a group of men and women
0:02:26 > 0:02:30who are out on the front line battling on your behalf
0:02:30 > 0:02:34against bad and dangerous living conditions.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36They are the Housing Enforcers.
0:02:42 > 0:02:45We all know that one of the roles of a housing officer is to try and get
0:02:45 > 0:02:49people off the streets, into a safe and secure home.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52But another equally important part is to try and keep people in their
0:02:52 > 0:02:55homes, too. And that's not always as easy as it sounds.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03I'm in Peterborough with housing officers Jasmine Hammond
0:03:03 > 0:03:04and Pauline Cusack.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10We are off to check on a tenant whose behaviour
0:03:10 > 0:03:13might be putting himself and his neighbours at risk.
0:03:13 > 0:03:14Awesome.
0:03:18 > 0:03:20Have I done this wrong?
0:03:20 > 0:03:22I've done this wrong. What have I done?
0:03:22 > 0:03:26- We can't take you anywhere.- Look at this, it's all messed up, hold on.
0:03:26 > 0:03:27'We are not getting off to a great start.'
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Don't go on the motorway yet.
0:03:31 > 0:03:34Now it's all twisted round. I've really messed it up.
0:03:34 > 0:03:36Pauline, have you got any more legroom?
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Oh, yeah, I've got loads.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41That's because my kids are ten-foot tall. Unfortunately.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Hang on, now I've got to get... I've got to get out of this.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Hold on, that's less.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48Right.
0:03:48 > 0:03:51You're going to have to push it. She's too short.
0:03:51 > 0:03:52Hang on.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55HE LAUGHS
0:03:55 > 0:03:56We haven't gone anywhere yet!
0:04:00 > 0:04:03We haven't gone anywhere yet!
0:04:03 > 0:04:06There we go, that's better.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07- Thank you.- Oh, my goodness me.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Thank you. I never knew Peterborough was going to be this exciting.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15'I regained the feeling in my legs and we are on the move,
0:04:15 > 0:04:16'back to business,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18'to find the tenant who's been struggling
0:04:18 > 0:04:20'to keep himself and his neighbours safe.'
0:04:20 > 0:04:23Tell me about what's happening, what's the situation?
0:04:23 > 0:04:26His name is Junior.
0:04:26 > 0:04:27He's had two fires in his flat.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Fire Brigade informed us of the last one.
0:04:33 > 0:04:35So we went out to have a look.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37And he lives on chips.
0:04:37 > 0:04:40- From a chip pan.- He lives on chips?
0:04:40 > 0:04:41Yeah, he loves chips.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44- Right.- We went out there and we noticed that...
0:04:45 > 0:04:48..the cooker was grease was that thick.
0:04:48 > 0:04:51- Yeah.- You couldn't allow him to use it, you just couldn't.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54- Right.- So I got in touch with Hyde Plus to provide him
0:04:54 > 0:04:56with a nice new cooker.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59And we also went in and cleared up all the smoke damage.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03So what's to stop him frying up his own chips now?
0:05:03 > 0:05:05Well, I've told him, he's got to put them in the oven.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07You've got to have oven chips.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11Teaching residents how to cook chips might not sound like the sort of
0:05:11 > 0:05:14thing housing officers usually get involved with,
0:05:14 > 0:05:17but when it comes to the safety of their tenants, it seems no subjects
0:05:17 > 0:05:19are off-limits.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25- Hello there.- Hello, Junior. - How are you doing?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- How are you, are you all right? - You all right?
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Are you all right to let us in? I'm with Jasmine, in there,
0:05:29 > 0:05:31- is that all right? - Yeah, come in.- Cheers.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Junior lives here alone in the flat, which is why Jasmine and Pauline are
0:05:35 > 0:05:37so keen to keep an eye on him.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39- Have you used your new cooker yet? - Yeah, I've used it a couple of times.
0:05:39 > 0:05:40What about that chip pan?
0:05:40 > 0:05:43- No.- Let me have a look. Is it still there?
0:05:43 > 0:05:44- Yeah, it's still there.- Is it?
0:05:46 > 0:05:50You're not cooking chips in it any more cos there's not enough oil.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53It seems that Junior is keeping to his side of the bargain,
0:05:53 > 0:05:56although evidence of his past mistakes is clearly visible.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- So this is where... We can see, can't we?- Yeah.
0:06:00 > 0:06:01This is the fire.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03And all through the lounge as well.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05It was very badly smoke-damaged.
0:06:05 > 0:06:07So what's happened here was an accident, but, you know,
0:06:07 > 0:06:09it was cos of what, the way Junior was cooking?
0:06:09 > 0:06:11It was, it was his love of chips.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14And then what we've got is the smoke damage still,
0:06:14 > 0:06:18but then is it up to him to then redecorate if that's what he wants?
0:06:18 > 0:06:19- Yes.- Right. OK.- Yeah.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21It seemed like you're thinking this is progress
0:06:21 > 0:06:24- from when you last saw him. - This is a lot of progress.
0:06:24 > 0:06:28Because before there was a hoarding issue.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33So we did serve him with an acceptable behaviour contract.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35He's done very, very well.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37He's come a long way.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40An acceptable behaviour contract, or ABC,
0:06:40 > 0:06:44is often issued to residents who are breaking their tenancy agreements.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47It's a way to ask them to change their ways
0:06:47 > 0:06:48or end up facing action,
0:06:48 > 0:06:50and it seems to have worked for Junior.
0:06:50 > 0:06:51Tell me a bit about yourself.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Well, I've grown up in Peterborough.
0:06:55 > 0:06:56I've been here all my life.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59- I've been in prison a couple of times.- Yeah.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02That's about it, really.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05Yeah. So your life has been a bit of a roller-coaster, has it?
0:07:05 > 0:07:08- Yeah.- Yeah, a few good things, a few bad things.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11And whereabouts are you? How are you feeling these days?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Because I know you had a couple of fires, have you, in the kitchen?
0:07:14 > 0:07:16- Yeah, that's right, yeah. - So, how did that come about?
0:07:16 > 0:07:20I just went out one day and forgot I'd turned it on.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Turned the cooker on and left it on.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25Yeah. Does that happen sometimes?
0:07:25 > 0:07:27- It just caught fire. - Do you forget things?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- Or get absent-minded? - That's what happens.
0:07:29 > 0:07:31When I'm on medication, that's what it does,
0:07:31 > 0:07:33it makes me forget things sometimes.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35You don't like to go to the chip shop? Or is it cheaper?
0:07:35 > 0:07:39- It's cheaper.- It's cheaper? Oh, right. OK, that makes sense.
0:07:39 > 0:07:40That makes a lot of sense.
0:07:40 > 0:07:44Junior's health issues are clearly a contributing factor to his behaviour
0:07:44 > 0:07:47which is why I'm guessing having such a supporting housing team
0:07:47 > 0:07:49around him is so vital.
0:07:49 > 0:07:50How important is this flat for you?
0:07:50 > 0:07:52- Very important.- Is it?
0:07:52 > 0:07:55If I lose this flat, I would have nowhere to live.
0:07:55 > 0:07:56Yeah.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59Cos that's the danger, isn't it, with the fire and things like that?
0:07:59 > 0:08:02You must be thinking... Did that worry you?
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Yeah, yeah, I thought I was going to lose it.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Was it a pretty stressful situation?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- At that time?- Yeah, it was a bit stressful, yeah.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Yeah.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13- You're all right now.- Yeah.
0:08:13 > 0:08:14Oven chips the way ahead.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20I'm really hoping Junior's adventures in the kitchen
0:08:20 > 0:08:21are less dramatic in the future.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23We won't stop for chips, OK?
0:08:23 > 0:08:24OK.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27We don't want any more accidents.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Incidences like this highlight how Pauline and Jasmine's role
0:08:30 > 0:08:34has become incredibly varied and challenging.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37And when dealing with tenants like Junior, really quite complicated.
0:08:37 > 0:08:42This is the bit I don't really get about your job, is where it stops.
0:08:42 > 0:08:43Because it seems, you know,
0:08:43 > 0:08:46if you talk to most people about what a housing officer does,
0:08:46 > 0:08:50they assume they give away houses and then they...
0:08:50 > 0:08:53- Throw them out at the end.- And they maybe evict them if they are doing
0:08:53 > 0:08:55things wrong, but there seems to be so much more than that.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57No, it's in the title, housing officer,
0:08:57 > 0:09:01it's keeping people in houses and finding all the ways in which we can
0:09:01 > 0:09:03assist them to remain there.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Talking to Junior, it was absolutely clear
0:09:07 > 0:09:09that having this place for him is absolutely crucial.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11- He knows it.- Well, it is.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- You know it as well. - And they get frightened, you know.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16You don't want to be sending nasty letters and say,
0:09:16 > 0:09:17"Clear the place up,"
0:09:17 > 0:09:19you want to come and see them in person
0:09:19 > 0:09:22and let them understand that we just need them to live
0:09:22 > 0:09:25in a better condition for their own health.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28So, me, I just keep going until somebody gives in, really.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30THEY LAUGH
0:09:30 > 0:09:32You're like a terrier.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- Yeah.- Is that it?- Yes.- You just keep nipping their ankles?
0:09:34 > 0:09:37Yeah, I keep bringing up the issue, you know, at any opportunity,
0:09:37 > 0:09:39and then, you know, I wear them down, I think.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41And then I hopefully get there.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45But to have a success story and see them getting the progress they are
0:09:45 > 0:09:49taking, it might be small to the outside, but it's a lot to them.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- And it's good.- I think I might...
0:09:52 > 0:09:54- Thank you.- Just, well done.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57- Good stuff. Brilliant, come on then. - OK.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59I'm happy to report that after signing
0:09:59 > 0:10:01his acceptable behaviour agreement,
0:10:01 > 0:10:04Junior has continued to keep his side of the bargain
0:10:04 > 0:10:07and there have been no further call-outs
0:10:07 > 0:10:09for any chip-related incidents.
0:10:17 > 0:10:20Across the UK, the one issue that residents complain about the most is
0:10:20 > 0:10:22noisy neighbours,
0:10:22 > 0:10:25with nearly half a million complaints made to councils
0:10:25 > 0:10:27in one nine-month period.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29It is often housing officers who are on the front line,
0:10:29 > 0:10:31confronting anti-social behaviour
0:10:31 > 0:10:34that's making life a misery for other tenants.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41In the London Borough of Havering,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44wardens Nadeem and Claire are on their way to inspect a flat
0:10:44 > 0:10:47where the tenant has been causing a major headache
0:10:47 > 0:10:48for neighbours for some time.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54The next property we are going to is the one that we've been dealing with
0:10:54 > 0:10:55for about eight months.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58After months of warnings over his unacceptable behaviour,
0:10:58 > 0:11:01late night parties and noisy visitors,
0:11:01 > 0:11:04the council finally had to resort to the courts.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07When he was there, he'd forget his keys all the time
0:11:07 > 0:11:10and then he'd knock on people's doors or buzz on the intercom,
0:11:10 > 0:11:12people climbing on the pipes,
0:11:12 > 0:11:14all sorts of allegations over there.
0:11:14 > 0:11:20We applied to court for eviction and it's been appealed, etc.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22But he surrendered his keys.
0:11:22 > 0:11:24But that wasn't the end of the story.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Since then, neighbours have complained that other people
0:11:27 > 0:11:29have been using the flat.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32We feel there's people living in the property, so we need to meet
0:11:32 > 0:11:34the ASB officer to go and have a look to find out
0:11:34 > 0:11:36if there's anyone living in the property
0:11:36 > 0:11:37and what sort of state the property is.
0:11:38 > 0:11:43Yeah, well, the times that we've visited and we've knocked and other
0:11:43 > 0:11:47people have opened the door and said they were friends and they were just
0:11:47 > 0:11:48- visiting...- Exactly, we know
0:11:48 > 0:11:51some others were living in there, don't we?
0:11:51 > 0:11:54I mean, the tenants have always said there's other people going there,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57living there, so what they're doing, just don't know.
0:11:57 > 0:11:58Well, let's go see.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Because the team have no idea what they might find inside and there is
0:12:03 > 0:12:05safety in numbers, the wardens are being joined
0:12:05 > 0:12:08by Antisocial Behaviour officer Joyner.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11But they've had information that today at least
0:12:11 > 0:12:13the flat is empty, giving them a chance to reclaim it
0:12:13 > 0:12:14for the council.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- Nice. - Even for seasoned professionals,
0:12:28 > 0:12:30the state this flat's been left in is a shock.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35This visit is to establish if someone's living here,
0:12:35 > 0:12:38because that's the information that we have from neighbours.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41The tendency has been surrendered and we are just here to establish
0:12:41 > 0:12:43the condition of the property
0:12:43 > 0:12:45and the void works that needs to be written,
0:12:45 > 0:12:47so the works could be carried out.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51We're going to inspect every room and see the state of play.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Neighbours complained about the tenant
0:12:56 > 0:12:57having lots of noisy visitors,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00and indeed, the condition suggests that more than one person
0:13:00 > 0:13:01has been living here.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05It stinks.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11It's quite unusual to have a fridge in the bedroom.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14Yeah, when there was plenty of room in the kitchen.
0:13:14 > 0:13:17Crusher underneath the table there for his cannabis.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21It's an all right flat.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25It stinks in here.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29These housing officers aren't wet behind the ears.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32But knowing how hard it is to get social housing in the first place,
0:13:32 > 0:13:35it's hard to believe anyone would treat their home like this.
0:13:38 > 0:13:43The complainants have been telling us that the visitors to the tenant
0:13:43 > 0:13:47were knocking on other people's doors, early morning, late night.
0:13:47 > 0:13:48Lots of parties.
0:13:48 > 0:13:50Shouting, screaming.
0:13:50 > 0:13:56And this tenant also used to lose his keys, very frequently.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59So he used to buzz all the other neighbours to be let in the first
0:13:59 > 0:14:02security door, and then when he's here,
0:14:02 > 0:14:03he used to kick his own door in,
0:14:03 > 0:14:08and we must have done about six or seven lock change,
0:14:08 > 0:14:10on recharge of course,
0:14:10 > 0:14:13to allow him back in the property.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15We had frequent police visits to this property, cos residents
0:14:15 > 0:14:18think that when they hear the banging noise,
0:14:18 > 0:14:20that someone is breaking in.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Getting the flat back to normal will be no easy task, but at least now
0:14:24 > 0:14:26the team can make sure the troublesome tenant
0:14:26 > 0:14:29and his delightful guests won't cause any more trouble
0:14:29 > 0:14:30for the neighbours here.
0:14:32 > 0:14:35Now, what is going to happen is we are going to hand the property
0:14:35 > 0:14:37back to our empty homes team.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39They will come in and clear out the property and
0:14:39 > 0:14:43it's going to get advertised on our
0:14:43 > 0:14:47lettings brochure for the residents to bid on.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49This one we will do sensitive let,
0:14:49 > 0:14:51given what the residents have been through,
0:14:51 > 0:14:57where we would look at the background of the tenant coming in
0:14:57 > 0:15:02and try and avoid certain characteristics...
0:15:03 > 0:15:05..that we had in the past.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10A sensitive let is where a council can deviate from their normal policy
0:15:10 > 0:15:12of housing the next person on the waiting list
0:15:12 > 0:15:13and instead choose somebody
0:15:13 > 0:15:17else who might be less likely to cause issues for the neighbours.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20That seems only fair given what the other residents here have had to
0:15:20 > 0:15:21endure.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28The kitchen unit seems to be in reasonable conditions.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30The bathroom,
0:15:30 > 0:15:32the bathtub, the sink, the basin,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35seems to be in pretty good conditions.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37- So it's basically cosmetic.- It's a case of the rubbish, isn't it?
0:15:37 > 0:15:41But the living room, there is extensive wall damage, etc,
0:15:41 > 0:15:43that will need to be fixed.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45And apart from that...
0:15:46 > 0:15:49..just gas and electric safety checks, really.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Some of the tenant's belongings are still present,
0:15:52 > 0:15:55but they won't be here for much longer.
0:15:55 > 0:15:57Everything found in here will be thrown away.
0:15:57 > 0:15:59He is aware of that as well.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01The tenant has signed a disclaimer
0:16:01 > 0:16:03to say anything left in the property...
0:16:03 > 0:16:05- Will get dumped. - ..would be disposed of.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Because of his behaviour and the treatment of the flat,
0:16:09 > 0:16:12it's unlikely that this tenant will ever secure
0:16:12 > 0:16:14another council property in this area.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17But finding a new resident, well, that won't be a problem.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20Three, four weeks, hopefully, we should have a new tenant.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23As you can imagine, there are a scarcity of properties
0:16:23 > 0:16:27and the demand is quite huge on social stocks.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30It is only when they lose it that they appreciate what they had.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34I mean, there is always thousands of people on waiting lists.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39And something like this is very sought after.
0:16:39 > 0:16:44You can see it is a nice area, a nice quiet low rise.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48It's quite a desirable area, I would say.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50Later on, we'll be returning to the flat to see
0:16:50 > 0:16:53how the council's cleaning and restoration team
0:16:53 > 0:16:54have worked their magic.
0:17:03 > 0:17:06With around 1.2 million people on the waiting list
0:17:06 > 0:17:08for social housing in England alone,
0:17:08 > 0:17:12the challenge of finding safe and secure homes for those in need
0:17:12 > 0:17:14is still one that's clearly proving tough to crack.
0:17:16 > 0:17:17To try and help bring this number down,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20often when developers build new private housing estates,
0:17:20 > 0:17:24there is a planning requirement for an element of social housing to be
0:17:24 > 0:17:26built alongside.
0:17:26 > 0:17:27On a new development in Wiltshire,
0:17:27 > 0:17:31White Horse Housing Association have just taken possession of a brand-new
0:17:31 > 0:17:35home which will be added to their much-needed stock of social housing.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38And it's down to housing officer Belinda Eastland
0:17:38 > 0:17:40to find the right tenant to fill it.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42Today, we are off to interview Harriet,
0:17:42 > 0:17:44a young housing applicant.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47She's been put forward by Homes for Wiltshire.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50I'm a little bit wary because she's quite young.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54She's never lived on her own before and she's expecting a baby.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58But part of the processes for me now is to go out and visit,
0:17:58 > 0:18:00assess her circumstances.
0:18:00 > 0:18:04Check what support network she will have in place as well and whether I
0:18:04 > 0:18:07think she can manage the tenancy.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11You know, it's not easy if you've never lived on your own before,
0:18:11 > 0:18:12you've got to manage a budget,
0:18:12 > 0:18:17you've got to keep the house nice... And hopefully then I'll be able to
0:18:17 > 0:18:21consider her for a two-bed property that we've got coming up.
0:18:21 > 0:18:25We always say to people at the point of arranging a home visit that there
0:18:25 > 0:18:29is no guarantees, you know, don't get your hopes up.
0:18:29 > 0:18:30So that's what we're doing today.
0:18:30 > 0:18:32Not quite sure what I'm going to find.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35I never know what I'm going to find until I get there, really.
0:18:35 > 0:18:39You know, all I've done is read the file at this point in time.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40So we shall see.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46Harriet is at home, anxiously awaiting Belinda's arrival.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49At the minute, I'm 18 and I'm living at home with my mum.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53I'm trying to find a place of my own for myself and my baby.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Harriet not only shares a house with her mum,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00but the property is also home to her mother's childminding business,
0:19:00 > 0:19:02meaning that space is very much at a premium.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant.
0:19:05 > 0:19:07As well as going to college three days a week
0:19:07 > 0:19:09and working three days a week as well as that.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13At the minute, I'm very nervous about everything.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15With so much on her plate, it's little surprise
0:19:15 > 0:19:17the uncertainty around
0:19:17 > 0:19:20where she and her new baby will live is only adding to the pressure.
0:19:20 > 0:19:21Good morning, are you Harry?
0:19:21 > 0:19:24I'm Belinda from White Horse Housing.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28The assessment Belinda carries out today is make or break.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32Harriet needs to be in her own home by the time the baby arrives.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34First of all,
0:19:34 > 0:19:39it would be good if I could get a general idea about your housing
0:19:39 > 0:19:43situation, about where you've lived up until now,
0:19:43 > 0:19:45and why you need to be rehoused.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47I've lived here since I was born.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Mm-hm.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51Due to having the baby,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53I can't stay here cos there isn't a lot of room.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56OK. And it's just you and the baby, is it, or?
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Yeah, it is.- OK.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01What about the father, is he on the scene at all?
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Will he be coming to live with you in any property that you're offered?
0:20:04 > 0:20:07He won't be coming to live, but he will be around.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11OK. When you move into the property and you find yourself on your own
0:20:11 > 0:20:12with the baby,
0:20:12 > 0:20:16are you going to have supportive relatives around you, you know,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19popping in to see you, making sure all is well,
0:20:19 > 0:20:20helping you out with things?
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Yeah. I do, I have a very supportive family.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25My sister's very supportive.
0:20:25 > 0:20:26She's just had a baby.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30And my mum, with her job, she's very supportive as well.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32- OK.- And so are my nan and grandad.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- Yeah.- So, they will be around.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37That's good. So, when you're living independently in the home,
0:20:37 > 0:20:40you will be a student.
0:20:40 > 0:20:41Will you be working at all?
0:20:41 > 0:20:43I will. I will be.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45OK, where do you work?
0:20:45 > 0:20:48At the minute, I work in the chip shop and as a marshal.
0:20:48 > 0:20:54So, you're six weeks off having your baby, but you're still doing...
0:20:55 > 0:21:00..work for the paintballing company, the chip shop,
0:21:00 > 0:21:02and you're also childminding?
0:21:02 > 0:21:04- Yeah.- How are you finding that?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06That seems a lot for you to be doing.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Sometimes, it's hard, and then other weeks, it's easy.
0:21:12 > 0:21:13It depends on, like...
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- ..how busy it is.- OK. And...
0:21:18 > 0:21:21..why are you doing that? What's, like, your longer-term goal?
0:21:23 > 0:21:25To be able to get the money to support my baby,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28because I want to try and give my baby the best future
0:21:28 > 0:21:31I can possibly try and give her.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33With the formal interview complete,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Belinda can now show Harriet the house she's being considered for.
0:21:37 > 0:21:40Now, the property that you've been put forward for,
0:21:40 > 0:21:44it's on a small development of new homes.
0:21:44 > 0:21:48So, we have seven other homes, which will be privately owned,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52and then we have two affordable rented homes.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55So, the house, as you can see, has got a garden.
0:21:57 > 0:22:03So, downstairs, you've got a living room, kitchen, WC.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07Upstairs, you've got two bedrooms and the main family bathroom.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Do you have any questions about the property?
0:22:09 > 0:22:11Not that I can think of.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14No, but you're happy to be considered for it?
0:22:14 > 0:22:17- Yes, please.- So, what will happen after today,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19I need to put a report in,
0:22:19 > 0:22:22and then I'll be in touch with you on Tuesday to let you know whether
0:22:22 > 0:22:24you've been successful or not.
0:22:24 > 0:22:25Thank you.
0:22:29 > 0:22:30All right, bye-bye.
0:22:32 > 0:22:35The meeting with Harriet today was quite a surprise for me.
0:22:35 > 0:22:39I was actually quite relieved and impressed with the way that she's
0:22:39 > 0:22:44managing. She's currently got three or four jobs that she told us about,
0:22:44 > 0:22:47and she's also trying to hold down this college course.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51Unbelievable. I do feel like I want to help her,
0:22:51 > 0:22:54because I know that we have a hard-working person here
0:22:54 > 0:22:56who's trying to do her best.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59She doesn't fit the stereotype that you hear about an
0:22:59 > 0:23:0218-year-old single mother.
0:23:02 > 0:23:03You know, she's a real trier.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08And she has no hope of affording a house herself,
0:23:08 > 0:23:12or even renting privately in Wiltshire, you know,
0:23:12 > 0:23:14with rents and house prices being so hard.
0:23:14 > 0:23:16So, I hope we can help her.
0:23:16 > 0:23:19So, it's clear - Belinda's keen to help.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Now she needs to convince her boss.
0:23:22 > 0:23:27The process now is that I will need to file a report,
0:23:27 > 0:23:30put a recommendation in to my manager.
0:23:30 > 0:23:32So, I don't know how it's going to go.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37Later on, we'll find out if Belinda manages to make the case
0:23:37 > 0:23:39and if Harriet gets to make the move into a new home.
0:23:44 > 0:23:47Defending our right to a safe place to live is the job
0:23:47 > 0:23:50of housing officers right across the UK.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52Fire Service turned up, didn't they?
0:23:52 > 0:23:54There was no need for them!
0:23:54 > 0:23:55- There was a fire.- There was not.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00I'm working alongside the men and women that do exactly that...
0:24:00 > 0:24:02This one's the worst I've seen.
0:24:02 > 0:24:05The amount of mould is quite shocking, actually.
0:24:05 > 0:24:06..hitting the streets...
0:24:06 > 0:24:09- Hello.- ..finding out what's happening on the front line...
0:24:09 > 0:24:12Warrants have been issued, and they can be enforced.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16..as we make sure a house is a fit place to call a home.
0:24:16 > 0:24:17Is that one there? Oh...
0:24:17 > 0:24:19- Look at that.- There's another one.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22The fact that I now have got somewhere I can call home,
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- and it's permanent. - That's got to be a good thing.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Tenancy fraud is a major problem for local authorities,
0:24:33 > 0:24:38estimated to cost the public purse almost £2 billion every year.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41One aspect of this problem is that legitimate tenants of social housing
0:24:41 > 0:24:45sometimes choose to illegally sublet their property on the open market,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48often making a good profit on the deal.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51As well as the huge financial burden on the council, on a human level,
0:24:51 > 0:24:54it means fewer properties are available for people
0:24:54 > 0:24:57who truly need them. In Southampton,
0:24:57 > 0:24:59housing officer Clare Caullay is investigating
0:24:59 > 0:25:01a suspected case of illegal subletting.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04Clare knows that the legal tenant of this property is away in
0:25:04 > 0:25:07hospital, but believes that someone else is currently living there.
0:25:07 > 0:25:08So, what do we need to find out, then?
0:25:08 > 0:25:10What's the purpose of the visit?
0:25:10 > 0:25:12How long have they been in there?
0:25:12 > 0:25:14How they know the actual legal tenant.
0:25:14 > 0:25:16All their identities.
0:25:18 > 0:25:20How they were let the property.
0:25:20 > 0:25:22And what they thought they were getting,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25whether they thought they were going to stay in there long-term,
0:25:25 > 0:25:27or whether they thought it was just a short-term let.
0:25:27 > 0:25:28There's a possibility, of course,
0:25:28 > 0:25:31they don't know that they shouldn't be there,
0:25:31 > 0:25:34that they've been let this property in good faith,
0:25:34 > 0:25:36or they've taken it in good faith,
0:25:36 > 0:25:38and that they just have to be informed
0:25:38 > 0:25:39they're going to have to leave.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42That is true. We have a housing options service,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44which I can offer them.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46If they let us in, they talk to us and say,
0:25:46 > 0:25:48"Yeah, that's true - we didn't know anything about it.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51"As far as we were concerned, it was all legal."
0:25:51 > 0:25:54Then our housing options service will go out and speak to them
0:25:54 > 0:25:55and see what they can do to help them.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Have you had any contact with them so far?
0:25:57 > 0:25:59Have you tried to make contact with them?
0:25:59 > 0:26:01I have. I've knocked on the door twice already.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04One time, she appeared at the stairs and ran away.
0:26:04 > 0:26:06- OK.- And the other time she didn't let me in.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08OK. How do we know about this sort of thing?
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Because presumably, if they just go in and out of the door
0:26:11 > 0:26:15without causing any sort of upset or harm to anybody,
0:26:15 > 0:26:18then they could carry on like that for a long time.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20They could, but it's other neighbours that tell us.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23And there's some anti-social behaviour around this at the moment
0:26:23 > 0:26:27that they're causing, and the other neighbours have told us about this.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30And people coming and going from the address at all hours, parties,
0:26:30 > 0:26:32so that sort of thing.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35That's when you find out, when you start annoying the neighbours,
0:26:35 > 0:26:38- suddenly, yes. - Yes, they tell us all about it.
0:26:38 > 0:26:41It's not only the housing association that's interested
0:26:41 > 0:26:43in what's going on at this address.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45Due to the nature of the anti-social behaviour
0:26:45 > 0:26:49complaints, the police also want to talk to the current occupier.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53Clare and I joined by two police community support officers for what
0:26:53 > 0:26:55could be a potentially difficult visit.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58It's, um, very interesting to look at this front door.
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Is that evidence of the police battering ram?
0:27:01 > 0:27:04- Is that what it was?- I think so. Am I right, is that the battering ram?
0:27:04 > 0:27:08Yes, that would be to gain access to the property.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12- So...- So, yes, there's definitely been some activity in there.
0:27:12 > 0:27:15- And you can see the door's been shaken, as well.- Yeah.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19OK. That's not the approach today, though.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22No. No. Definitely not.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24Not taking any chances, before knocking on the door,
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Clare registers her location with an electronic security system.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31SHE RINGS BELL
0:27:31 > 0:27:33Now it's just a case of wait and see.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52- There's no-one in.- Nothing?
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Nothing at all, unfortunately.
0:27:54 > 0:27:56To be honest, I'm a little bit disappointed
0:27:56 > 0:27:59and a little bit relieved that they didn't answer the door.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02With their teams on the front lines every day,
0:28:02 > 0:28:05the safety of officers is something that housing associations take very
0:28:05 > 0:28:09seriously. A visit which doesn't really yield us very much.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11But one thing I did notice, Clare,
0:28:11 > 0:28:13is just before we knocked on the door,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15you spoke into your name badge.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17- My Identicom, yes. - How does that work?
0:28:17 > 0:28:21This is the alert in case anything happens to me.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24I press that button at the back to say something's happened to me,
0:28:24 > 0:28:28and it automatically sends a signal to our call centre,
0:28:28 > 0:28:32the Identicom call centre, and they will send somebody out, the police,
0:28:32 > 0:28:33depending on how bad it is.
0:28:33 > 0:28:39But when I go somewhere, I press these two buttons to say I'm there,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- so I'm safe.- So they are contacted directly, are they, using this?
0:28:42 > 0:28:45So they know where you are and who you are and what you're doing?
0:28:45 > 0:28:48Yes, Identicom know exactly who we are and where I am.
0:28:48 > 0:28:51- That's great.- Yes, very safe.
0:28:51 > 0:28:54You're working by yourself, and you know,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57these aren't always easy calls to make, are they?
0:28:57 > 0:28:59- Easy visits.- Yes.
0:28:59 > 0:29:00Especially like today.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03I wear flats so I can run.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07I've got my Identicom. But other than that, if we need to,
0:29:07 > 0:29:10we will do two visits together,
0:29:10 > 0:29:12so another housing officer will come out with me.
0:29:12 > 0:29:14Or I'll ask the police like I did earlier, and they'll come along.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17They are always very happy, and we work well together, I think.
0:29:17 > 0:29:21So, no joy today, but later on...
0:29:21 > 0:29:23- That's her! That's her.- OK.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25..Clare and I come face to face
0:29:25 > 0:29:26with the suspected illegal subletter.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28Excuse me, are you not living here any more?
0:29:30 > 0:29:32But I saw you in there the other day, and you said you did.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42Earlier, we saw a London flat that had been severely mistreated by its
0:29:42 > 0:29:43previous tenant.
0:29:43 > 0:29:44Oh, it stinks.
0:29:46 > 0:29:48It's quite unusual to have a fridge in the bedroom.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50Oh, it stinks in there.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54What this tenant used to do is kick his own door in.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03Today, community wardens Liam and Barry are off to see
0:30:03 > 0:30:06if the flat's now ready to become someone's new home.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11So, we are just going to go here and check the property.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Yes, just see what they've done.
0:30:14 > 0:30:16Make sure it's all fit and ready for purpose.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Seeing the state of the property just a couple of weeks ago,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24fixing this place was never going to be easy,
0:30:24 > 0:30:26but with a new tenant waiting in the wings,
0:30:26 > 0:30:27have they got it ready in time?
0:30:29 > 0:30:32A temporary high security door has been fitted to the flat
0:30:32 > 0:30:35to ensure none of the former residents can return.
0:30:35 > 0:30:38But even though he knows the code, Liam is still struggling to get in.
0:30:38 > 0:30:44- Just needs the magic touch. - The magic touch.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47And that's why he brings Barry with him.
0:30:47 > 0:30:49Nice smell of new paint.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53After a week and a half of intensive work by the council
0:30:53 > 0:30:56and a repair bill of several thousand pounds,
0:30:56 > 0:30:58the flat has been transformed.
0:30:58 > 0:31:01I don't know how they punctured the holes in the walls,
0:31:01 > 0:31:03but they definitely went at it with something.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07It looks a lot better than what it did.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Oh, yes, 100 times better.
0:31:09 > 0:31:11Yes.
0:31:11 > 0:31:12And it's ready to be moved into.
0:31:17 > 0:31:18It looks like a new bath.
0:31:18 > 0:31:21- Good little place for somebody. - This would be a lovely little place.
0:31:21 > 0:31:22I wouldn't mind it.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26The team's done a great job restoring the flat
0:31:26 > 0:31:27to a liveable standard,
0:31:27 > 0:31:31but sadly, the bill for all of this has to be met by the council,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34meaning less money for them to spend on vital public services.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40The kitchen's all been really done up.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42This kitchen was an absolute wreck.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45It was really bad. So they've had to refurbish it because he left in such
0:31:45 > 0:31:49a bad standard. Usually, we would just tidy it up, you know,
0:31:49 > 0:31:52and let it again, but with this one, they've had to do the kitchen,
0:31:52 > 0:31:55do the bathroom, they had to fix the walls, paint it all,
0:31:55 > 0:31:57because he actually...they drew all over the walls,
0:31:57 > 0:32:01stuck holes in the walls, ripped out sockets, and...
0:32:01 > 0:32:04It's lucky they didn't set the place on fire, because the lights,
0:32:04 > 0:32:05wires were hanging out of the ceiling,
0:32:05 > 0:32:07and the electric was still running.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10So you could have done, you know, set the place on fire.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13I like the smell of cleaning.
0:32:16 > 0:32:18Yes, this room's very nice.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22Very clean. Oh, they've actually painted this door, look at that.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24It was needed. Got a stopper.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27- Excellent. This is the bedroom. - This is the bedroom.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30That's the front room, yeah. This was the room which I said,
0:32:30 > 0:32:32they had a bed in here, and then a bed in there.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35That's why I think there was other people living here.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36And they had a fridge freezer in here.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38In that corner there was a fridge freezer,
0:32:38 > 0:32:40and there was letters in this room for a girl and a boy,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42which wasn't the residents' names,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45so that's how I know that this room was being used by someone else.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48- He was letting someone else live here.- Good result.
0:32:48 > 0:32:49No, it's good, yeah.
0:32:51 > 0:32:53Fully inspected and approved,
0:32:53 > 0:32:56the wardens can now plan for the flat's next occupant.
0:32:57 > 0:32:58So, that one's ready.
0:33:01 > 0:33:02Very nice job.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05And hopefully that's this afternoon we've got a tenant.
0:33:07 > 0:33:12Should be let and keys should be handed over this afternoon
0:33:12 > 0:33:13to the tenant,
0:33:13 > 0:33:16and someone should be probably moving in this weekend.
0:33:17 > 0:33:19It's a positive result for the council.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22This flat will soon be in the safe hands of a new tenant,
0:33:22 > 0:33:25and there will be one less family on the housing waiting list.
0:33:35 > 0:33:39Earlier, Clare and I teamed up with the local police in Southampton to
0:33:39 > 0:33:42call on a suspected illegal subletter.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44Is that evidence of a police battering ram?
0:33:44 > 0:33:48Yes, there's definitely been some activity in there.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51With no-one at home, we were unable to confirm her suspicions,
0:33:51 > 0:33:52but we haven't given up.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56So, we've returned to the property,
0:33:56 > 0:33:57and while we're doing our best to get inside,
0:33:57 > 0:34:01a chance encounter offers up another potential clue.
0:34:03 > 0:34:05- That's her! That's her.- OK.
0:34:05 > 0:34:09Clare's spotted the woman she saw at the address on her first visit,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11and who she suspects may be an illegal subletter.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13But now she's seen Clare,
0:34:13 > 0:34:15she doesn't seem to be going inside the building.
0:34:15 > 0:34:17Excuse me. Are you not living here any more?
0:34:19 > 0:34:21But I saw you in there the other day, and you said you did.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26Cos I'm from Hyde, and we own the block.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34I asked her whether or not she still lived there.
0:34:34 > 0:34:35OK, I'm sorry.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41So... That was interesting.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43As we were standing here,
0:34:43 > 0:34:46a woman came past that you identified
0:34:46 > 0:34:49- as the person living in that property.- Yes, yes.
0:34:49 > 0:34:51And you asked her very simply...
0:34:51 > 0:34:53Was she living there any more?
0:34:53 > 0:34:55And she got quite aggressive about it,
0:34:55 > 0:34:57and really not very happy that I even asked her.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01Including her friend as well, who was also quite aggressive...
0:35:03 > 0:35:04..and walked on.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06She said she wasn't living in there.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08- She did.- Any more.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11Which tells me she was living there in the first place.
0:35:11 > 0:35:12Yes. So she's not living there any more.
0:35:12 > 0:35:14So that's given us a bit of information.
0:35:14 > 0:35:16It hasn't really helped us a great deal,
0:35:16 > 0:35:19but it does illustrate that sometimes for a housing officer,
0:35:19 > 0:35:22investigations are a marathon, not a sprint.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24The plot is very gradually thickening.
0:35:24 > 0:35:29- Yes.- But it doesn't really tell us who is in there now, if anybody.
0:35:29 > 0:35:30No. That's the problem.
0:35:30 > 0:35:31And the windows are now closed,
0:35:31 > 0:35:33so someone's definitely been in there today.
0:35:33 > 0:35:35Someone's been in there today.
0:35:35 > 0:35:38- You can see, yeah. - We know somebody's in the flat.
0:35:38 > 0:35:41It's just frustrating we can't seem to get any answers.
0:35:41 > 0:35:45So if those are the subletters, slightly aggressive subletters,
0:35:45 > 0:35:47what happens to them, then?
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- What's the approach with them?- Well,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52we try to visit them three times and see if we can contact them and find
0:35:52 > 0:35:56out who they are and everything like that.
0:35:56 > 0:35:57If they are still living there,
0:35:57 > 0:36:03then we would put on the bottom of the notice to the tenant and all
0:36:03 > 0:36:04unauthorised occupants,
0:36:04 > 0:36:07and that would mean that they would have to be evicted as well.
0:36:07 > 0:36:08So that would cover everybody.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10It's like saying, "Well, you know,
0:36:10 > 0:36:12"your responsibility for this place is now over.
0:36:12 > 0:36:15- "We're taking it back."- We will have to take it back, yeah, yeah.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20With a long waiting list for social housing,
0:36:20 > 0:36:24councils and housing associations have to do all they can to make sure
0:36:24 > 0:36:26properties like this are put into the hands
0:36:26 > 0:36:27of those who need them most.
0:36:27 > 0:36:30So Clare's refusing to give up.
0:36:30 > 0:36:32And the next day, we're back...again.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37No surprise when there's no answer when we knock.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42But it's not the front door that provides evidence there's something
0:36:42 > 0:36:44definitely amiss with this flat.
0:36:45 > 0:36:46Window's open again.
0:36:48 > 0:36:49Was it completely shut yesterday?
0:36:49 > 0:36:53- Yeah.- Was it? You're much more observant than me, Clare.
0:36:56 > 0:36:57So the window's now open.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00- Yes.- Which means that somebody must've been in there.
0:37:00 > 0:37:03- Absolutely.- There's definitely someone living there,
0:37:03 > 0:37:05but proving it is going to be one thing,
0:37:05 > 0:37:08fixing the problem, quite another.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10Flippin' 'eck, this is a long job, isn't it?
0:37:10 > 0:37:12You've got to get them coming out of the flat,
0:37:12 > 0:37:15but the chances of doing that are minimal, aren't they?
0:37:15 > 0:37:18In the meantime, you've got people, potentially,
0:37:18 > 0:37:21illegally subletting that place
0:37:21 > 0:37:23for as long as they can get away with it.
0:37:23 > 0:37:27Yeah. We'll do our checks, and then we'll serve the notice.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29So unfortunately, that will be that for them,
0:37:29 > 0:37:31but we need to get that flat back.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34We don't have any choice. They're causing unsociable behaviour.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37They're causing problems for other residents. That's not fair.
0:37:37 > 0:37:38- Yeah.- Living there illegally.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Well, that was quite the adventure for Clare,
0:37:47 > 0:37:49and it's not quite over yet.
0:37:49 > 0:37:53The eviction process for this property is still ongoing.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57But the housing association hope to have the property back very soon,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00so it can be re-let to someone in real housing need.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10Good morning. Are you Harry? I'm Belinda from White Horse Housing.
0:38:10 > 0:38:12Earlier, housing officer Belinda Eastland
0:38:12 > 0:38:13was assessing new mum-to-be
0:38:13 > 0:38:17Harriet for a brand-new house which has just been built near Pewsey in
0:38:17 > 0:38:19- Wiltshire.- I want to try and give my baby, like,
0:38:19 > 0:38:23the best future I can possibly try and give her.
0:38:23 > 0:38:25I do feel like I want to help her,
0:38:25 > 0:38:29because I know that we have a hard-working person here
0:38:29 > 0:38:32who's trying to do her best. So I hope we can help her.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38Well, Belinda presented the case to her boss and got a decision.
0:38:38 > 0:38:39Today, Harry,
0:38:39 > 0:38:43who I visited a few weeks ago, is getting the keys to this brand-new
0:38:43 > 0:38:46property. It's a lovely two-bed house,
0:38:46 > 0:38:48which will be perfect for her and her baby.
0:38:48 > 0:38:49She has seen the property.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52She's absolutely delighted with it.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55She's already paid up a month's rent,
0:38:55 > 0:38:58so she doesn't have to worry about that today.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01And as soon as she gets the keys today, she's welcome to move in.
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Hi, Harry. Nice to see you.
0:39:04 > 0:39:07- And you.- Big day for you today.
0:39:07 > 0:39:08Come and have a look at your lovely home.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10It's a big step for Harriet.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12While it's an exciting day,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15moving into your first house can be a daunting prospect.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18And the nerves are certainly beginning to show.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22It's good, but then also scary at the same time.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25Belinda is here to offer a reassuring hand.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27You've got a washing line in the garden, and a shed.
0:39:28 > 0:39:32I mean, you're pretty well fixed up with most things.
0:39:32 > 0:39:34I think it'll be very good for the baby,
0:39:34 > 0:39:36cos it's got room outside to play.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38And then it's got quite a bit...
0:39:38 > 0:39:39Well, loads of room inside.
0:39:42 > 0:39:47I'll probably put the cot here, underneath the window.
0:39:47 > 0:39:49And then have its drawers along the side.
0:39:49 > 0:39:51I can't wait now.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55It might seem obvious to some of us,
0:39:55 > 0:39:57but this is Harriet's first home of her own,
0:39:57 > 0:40:01so Belinda will make sure she takes her carefully through every step.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04Water and electric, council tax,
0:40:04 > 0:40:06so you've got a lot to think about over the coming week,
0:40:06 > 0:40:09cos you need to get yourself up and running and registered with all
0:40:09 > 0:40:14these different utilities, and with the council for the council tax.
0:40:14 > 0:40:16If you need any help, let us know.
0:40:16 > 0:40:17- We'll help you.- OK, thank you.
0:40:17 > 0:40:22I've got all the furniture now, just waiting to move in.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Harriet's clearly pleased with her brand-new home,
0:40:28 > 0:40:30even the wardrobe's a hit.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33What did you think about that when you saw it on Monday?
0:40:33 > 0:40:35I really liked them!
0:40:35 > 0:40:39- Yeah.- The beauty of a brand-new home is that, technologically,
0:40:39 > 0:40:40it's bang up-to-date.
0:40:42 > 0:40:44Do you see that thing going round on there?
0:40:44 > 0:40:49- Yeah.- That's showing you how the solar panels are heating the water
0:40:49 > 0:40:51already. So that's just amazing.
0:40:51 > 0:40:53So you should find that a lot cheaper.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55Thank you.
0:40:57 > 0:40:59With her inspection complete,
0:40:59 > 0:41:02it's time for Harriet to sign on the dotted line and get the keys to her
0:41:02 > 0:41:05- new home.- And over here, the keys to the property.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10We've got front door there, patio door, you have several sets of keys.
0:41:10 > 0:41:13Tomorrow, Harriet will be moving in her furniture and belongings
0:41:13 > 0:41:16with the help of some of her friends.
0:41:16 > 0:41:17I hope you'll be really happy here.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19And that everything goes well with the baby,
0:41:19 > 0:41:22and just contact us if you need to talk to us about anything.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24- OK?- Thank you.
0:41:24 > 0:41:25Good.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28It's time for Belinda to leave
0:41:28 > 0:41:30and let an excited Harriet get on with it.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32She can't wait to get the house ready for her family.
0:41:34 > 0:41:35It can be very daunting,
0:41:35 > 0:41:38particularly with someone as young as Harriet taking on a property
0:41:38 > 0:41:42for the first time. So she needs to know how everything works.
0:41:42 > 0:41:45You know, we might need to check on her, make sure she's OK,
0:41:45 > 0:41:48offer her help from time to time until she's up and running,
0:41:48 > 0:41:50but I have every confidence that she's going to make
0:41:50 > 0:41:53a really good go of this tendency.
0:41:53 > 0:41:57A home is the foundation of your life, and whoever you are,
0:41:57 > 0:42:00however much you earn, wherever you come from,
0:42:00 > 0:42:02shouldn't you have that right?
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Sounds right to me, Belinda.
0:42:04 > 0:42:05And it's a great result,
0:42:05 > 0:42:09to see a hard-working young mum-to-be set up in her own home.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11I'm very excited.
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Now all I've got to do is move all my stuff in,
0:42:13 > 0:42:14and it'll feel like home.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19I'm pleased to report that Harriet
0:42:19 > 0:42:21has settled in well at her new house.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24And it wasn't long before an additional member of the family
0:42:24 > 0:42:26arrived to make it into a home.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30Felicity Olivia Jean was born on 10th of December,
0:42:30 > 0:42:34weighing 7 lbs 12 oz. A great way to start the new year.
0:42:40 > 0:42:42Well, as we've just seen,
0:42:42 > 0:42:45being a housing officer means a daily dose of tough choices
0:42:45 > 0:42:49and difficult decisions, but it's all in a day's work
0:42:49 > 0:42:51for the men and women fighting to ensure
0:42:51 > 0:42:54we can enjoy safe place to call home.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56That's it for today, but join me again next time
0:42:56 > 0:43:00when I'll be back on the front line with the Housing Enforcers.