by Emma Grove

A man has been fined after falsely claiming more than £4,500 in house benefit in less than a year.

Brian Cobbald, 32, of Gordon Avenue, Queenborough, was the landlord of a property where the occupant was claiming benefit, and the payments, between January 7 and December 7, 2008. were made via him.

When the occupant left, Cobbald failed to notify Swale Council of the change in circumstances and continued to receive the housing benefit payments.

Cobbald admitted falsely claiming £4,707.84 in housing benefit at Sittingbourne Magistrates’ Court last Monday.

He was ordered to pay a £300 fine, £100 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

The fraud was detected as a result of data matching between the council’s housing benefits department and other local authority benefit systems.

The data match identified Cobbald’s tenant was claiming housing benefit in another area and both failed to report the change.

Cobbald was held responsible as he continued to accept the housing benefit payment.

Filmer Wellard, investigation supervisor at Swale council, said: “Both the claimant and landlord have a duty to report changes in circumstances and this case highlights the fact landlords will be prosecuted if they fail in their duty.

“This prosecution also shows the importance of reporting changes in circumstances promptly to avoid large overpayments and the possibility of a criminal conviction.”

• To report a change in your personal circumstances contact 01795 417555.
• To report benefit fraud in confidence please contact the council’s fraud hotline on 01795 417714. Alternatively, visit www.swale.gov.uk or write to Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HT.