Walthamstow properties being illegally sublet and landlords attempting to defraud the system will feature in a new BBC series, next week.

Camera crews have been following Circle Housing Circle 33’s neighbourhood teams and local authority officers who work across the borough to catch rogue landlords.

The mission to clampdown on tenancy fraud in the E17 area is one of many which will be shown in the day-time series, from Monday.

Karen Ayling, Head of Housing for Circle Housing Circle 33 said: “With the acute shortage of affordable housing available in London, it is absolutely crucial that every social housing property is used by people who need it.   

“We take tenancy fraud extremely seriously as every home that is not occupied by the registered tenant costs taxpayers thousands of pounds. It also prevents families on the waiting list and in need of a home from moving into a property.”

Over the past three years, Circle Housing Circle 33 has recovered over 200 homes as a result of its ongoing crackdown.

Under the recently introduced Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013, tenancy fraud is now a criminal offence that can lead to a two-year prison sentence and unlimited fine.

Council House Crackdown is on BBC One at 9.15am every morning for five days from July 20.