Book – Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud

The final countdown

Despite the vagueness of the title to this post, it is in fact about the publication of the 3rd edition of my book, ‘Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud’, and the launch party held yesterday at the Pension room in Gray’s Inn.

For those who follow me on LinkedIn apologies for yet another post about the book but I will try and make it the last, and am sure I will find another topic to ‘bang on’ about shortly.

As for the title, it in fact reflects not my lack of hair compared to the lead singer of Europe but rather my promise to my wife that there would be no more books…no more furtive workings at home or in cafes…no more stresses.

Two individuals standing in front of a presentation screen displaying three book covers titled 'Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud'. One individual holds a book, and they are smiling. The setting appears to be a formal event.

Going back to the launch I would repeat my thanks to Bloomsbury Professional for all their help, support and guidance (and for attending last night), Will and Pia from the Marketing and Communications Team at Cornerstone Barristers for organising the event so efficiently, and all those who attended or sent messages in advance.

I do have a special thank you to the Panel which opened the event, chaired by the legend that is Katrina Robinson MBE (Legal Director at Birketts LLP and chair of the Tenancy Fraud Forum) and including Kuljit Bhogal KC (who has her own 3rd Edition, of the brilliant and must buy ‘Bhogal on Anti-social Behaviour’, out next year) and Max Millington (my former pupil who has developed such a strong reputation in many of the chambers areas of work, including housing & property) from chambers. They initiated a really interesting and informative discussion on evidence and investigations, assisted by some impressive contributions from the audience.

A panel discussion featuring four speakers sitting at a table with a 'cornerstone barristers' tablecloth, in a formal setting with a portrait on the wall. — Screenshot

This post has more photos of me than anyone should have to endure, but if you will indulge me I just have 2 more…one pretending to be a proper author and one posing in front of a picture of (no we were not related) Lord Lane.

A man with gray hair and glasses signs a book while a smiling younger man looks on, in a warmly decorated room. — Screenshot

A group of five individuals posing together in an elegant room, with a large portrait of a historical figure in the background and a decorative rug on the floor. — Screenshot

My presentation was mercifully short but I did manage to get in a reference to the Inbetweeners and, of course and as always, Manchester United. I will leave it there and just finish with one of the slides I used showing my wonderful and sadly departed (since the 2nd Edition) parents, and (I lied about having ended the pictures) a family picture. Before I turn into Al Murray I will leave it there and just say thank you for indulging me.

Group of five individuals posing for a photo in a room with a large screen displaying 'Thank you'. The setting appears to be a formal event, featuring traditional decor and a podium.

A woman smiling and hugging an elderly woman indoors, with a fireplace in the background. — Screenshot

‘Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud’ now in its 3rd Edition

Some of you may have seen the publicity from my chambers and myself about the official publication on 30 July 2026 of the 3rd edition of my book on social housing fraud.

It has been a 10-year project and one that has been exhausting and stressful but ultimately rewarding and educative (for me anyway).

Alongside my continuing practice in many other areas of housing, property and public law it has also encouraged me to work with and meet so many inspirational and wonderful people in the housing fraud and publishing sectors.

So whilst I continue to shamelessly publicise the book, more importantly I would encourage those interested in this area of law to get involved in bodies such as the Tenancy Fraud Forum (TFF). Indeed, on 10 November 2026 the TFF holds its annual conference at the Kensington Town Hall in London.

Though I suspect I don’t have another book in me, I will continue to highlight and promote this area of law, and the results of local authorities and housing associations work. To give a recent example, a report outlining the performance of Internal Audit and Investigation between 1 April 2025 and 31 March 2026 presented to the London Borough of Ealing’s Audit Committee on 22 July 2026 showed

20 council properties had been recovered giving a notional saving of £840,000.
8 applications for council tenancies had been refused following investigation, giving a notional saving of £40,000.
4 Right to Buy applications had been refused following investigation, giving a notional saving of £64,000.

Finally, in the press release I drafted for the book’s publication I cited the famous Spike Milligan quote from the 1994 British Comedy Awards when he was presented with a lifetime achievement award;

“I am not going to thank anybody because I did it all myself.”

I hasten to add that this was done with the caveat that I couldn’t say that. So many people have helped, supported and endured me during this process. I thank them.

Upcoming Release: Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud 3rd Edition

My senior commissioning editor at Bloomsbury Professional informed me today that the Third Edition of ‘Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud’ is at the printers and is due to publish on 30 July 2026.

It has been a real privilege to work with the brilliant people at Bloomsbury, and to have my friend Katrina Robinson MBE once again write the foreword.

There is so much good practice in this field and for those interested membership of the Tenancy Fraud Forum is recommended:

https://www.tenancyfraudforum.org.uk

Link to book advert: https://www.bloomsburyprofessional.com/uk/cornerstone-on-social-housing-fraud-9781526531933/

Tenancy Fraud Update

Two matters to report on:

First, the Tenancy Fraud Forum’s Annual Conference has been moved from 21 May 2026 to Tuesday, 10 November 2026.

Still at Kensington Conference & Events Centre, Kensington Town Hall, Hornton Street, London, W8 7NX.
Still a brilliant conference and a must-attend event
Still tickets available.
AND it will now coincide with International Fraud Awareness Week 2026.

Second, the current publication date for the 3rd Edition of ‘Cornerstone on Social Housing Fraud’ will be June 2026…any slippage will be entirely down to me!