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Recover Your Losses from CityGate Housing

Compensation Adviser helps victims of CityGate Housing pursue refund claims through APP fraud rules and the Financial Ombudsman Service — on a no-win, no-fee basis.

CityGate Housing Limited was placed into compulsory liquidation in June 2025 following a City of London Police investigation into alleged fraud. If you transferred funds from a UK bank account, a refund claim may be possible — even if your bank has already refused.

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Why Choose Compensation Adviser for Your CityGate Housing Claim?

We have extensive experience helping victims of unregulated property investment schemes recover their funds. Our team understands the complexities of the CityGate Housing collapse and knows how to navigate banking regulations and the Financial Ombudsman Service to secure the compensation you deserve.

No Obligation

We provide a free initial assessment of your CityGate Housing case with no pressure to proceed.

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Fair Fees

We operate on a strict no-win, no-fee basis. You’ll only pay our 15%+VAT success fee, if your claim is successful. Cancellation fees may apply (see full fee details below).

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Free Review

Start your recovery journey today with a comprehensive review of your investment transfers.

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What Was CityGate Housing?

CityGate Housing Limited (Company Number 12834963), also operating under the names CityGate Social Housing and formerly Ashbridge Ventures Limited, was an unregulated property investment company incorporated in August 2020. Registered at 18–20 St. Pancras Way, London, NW1 0QG, the firm marketed itself as an ethical investment opportunity that would help solve the UK’s social housing crisis while delivering significant financial returns to its investors.

The company required minimum investments of approximately £13,500 and promised exceptionally high fixed returns of up to 20% per annum over a three-year period. CityGate presented this as a ‘rent-to-rent’ model, suggesting that investor funds would be used to secure properties that would then be leased to social housing providers, charities, or local councils. Their sales brochure stated: “This model presents a win-win scenario, providing stable rental income and higher rent yields for clients, while also tackling the urgent housing needs of vulnerable populations.”

Despite claims of being a secure, government-backed initiative, CityGate Housing was never authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). This was highlighted by Which? in October 2024, who warned consumers about the risks of investing in such unregulated social housing schemes. The lack of FCA regulation meant that investors did not have the standard protections offered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) when the business ultimately failed.

How the CityGate Housing Scheme Worked

The investment model promoted by CityGate Housing followed a pattern increasingly common in unregulated property schemes and bore many hallmarks of a Ponzi-style operation. Investors were drawn in by slick marketing materials, social media campaigns, high-pressure sales tactics, and the dual appeal of ethical social impact combined with market-beating returns.

Investors were told their money would generate a steady stream of passive income through fixed monthly payments. For example, a £13,500 investment was promised to return £600 per month for 36 months — totalling £21,600 — alongside the return of the original capital at the end of the term. Early investors did receive their first few monthly payments, which encouraged them to recruit friends and family into the scheme.

However, by late 2024, these monthly payments began to dry up. In October 2024, investors received communications claiming the company was taking on ‘institutional investment’ and promising full reimbursement of capital by February 2025. These payments never materialised. The company’s online presence subsequently vanished.

In January 2025, the City of London Police’s Economic Crime Department launched Operation Lily, a formal investigation into CityGate Housing Limited and Social Housing Holdings Limited. Four directors were arrested on suspicion of fraud and money laundering. Search warrants were executed at both business and personal premises. The company was ultimately placed into compulsory liquidation on 18 June 2025, with the Official Receiver appointed to oversee the winding-up process. Total investor losses are believed to be in the region of £20 million, affecting hundreds of victims across the UK.

Signs You May Have Been Misled by CityGate Housing

If you invested in CityGate Housing, you may have been subjected to misleading claims and high-pressure sales tactics. Common red flags reported by victims include:

Promises of guaranteed returns of up to 20% per annum with little to no risk — far exceeding any legitimate investment product.

False claims that the investment was ‘government-backed’ or officially endorsed by local councils and housing associations.

A complete lack of transparency regarding exactly which properties your money was funding or how funds were being deployed.

Pressure to invest quickly with a high minimum threshold (£13,500), often with claims that opportunities were limited.

Assurances that the company was regulated and secure, despite having no FCA authorisation whatsoever.

Sudden cessation of monthly payments followed by excuses about ‘institutional investment’ restructuring and broken promises of capital return.

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What to Do If You Lost Money to CityGate Housing

1. Stop All Further Payments

Do not send any further funds to CityGate Housing or any individuals claiming they can recover your money for an upfront fee. These are often secondary ‘recovery room’ scams.

2. Gather Your Documentation

Collect all evidence of your investment, including bank statements showing transfers, promotional brochures, emails, WhatsApp messages, and investment contracts.

3. Contact Your Bank

Notify the bank you used to make the transfers. They may be able to initiate a fraud investigation under the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code or the Mandatory Reimbursement Scheme.

4. Report to Action Fraud

File a comprehensive report with Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk) and reference the ongoing City of London Police investigation (Operation Lily).

5. Beware of Recovery Scams

Be highly cautious of unsolicited contact from companies claiming they can retrieve your lost funds. Legitimate firms will never demand payment upfront.

6. Seek Professional Assistance

Contact Compensation Adviser for a free, no-obligation review of your case to explore your options for recovering your money through established regulatory channels.

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Can I Recover Money Lost to CityGate Housing?

Yes, recovery is possible. While CityGate Housing itself is in liquidation and was never regulated by the FCA, victims have successfully recovered their funds by holding their banks accountable. Financial institutions have a regulatory duty to protect their customers from foreseeable harm and sophisticated fraud, and several banks — including Halifax and Lloyds — have already been compelled to reimburse CityGate victims.

Depending on when you made your transfers, you may be protected under one or more of the following mechanisms:

  • Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code: If you made a bank transfer from a UK bank account after 28 May 2019 to another UK bank account, and your bank is a signatory to the CRM Code, you may be entitled to a full refund.
  • Mandatory Reimbursement Scheme (MRS): For payments made after 7 October 2024, the new mandatory rules require banks to reimburse APP fraud victims in most circumstances.
  • Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS): Even if your bank initially rejects your claim, you have the right to escalate the matter to the FOS for an independent, binding decision. We have seen successful outcomes where victims recovered their full investment plus interest through this route.

Why Choose Compensation Adviser for Your CityGate Housing Claim?

  • Specialist Knowledge: We understand the specific mechanisms of the CityGate Housing scheme, the ongoing Operation Lily investigation, and how these factors strengthen your bank complaint.
  • Regulatory Expertise: We know how to effectively challenge bank rejections using the CRM Code, Mandatory Reimbursement Scheme, and FOS guidelines.
  • No Upfront Costs: Our services are entirely no-win, no-fee, meaning you can pursue justice without further financial risk.
  • Stress-Free Process: We handle all the complex paperwork, legal arguments, and communication with the banks and the Ombudsman on your behalf, from start to finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are your fees?

We operate on a no-win, no-fee basis. If your claim is successful, we charge a fee of 15% + VAT of the total compensation awarded. If we do not recover any money for you, there is no fee to pay.

CityGate Housing is in liquidation. Can I still get my money back?

Yes. Because CityGate Housing is unregulated and in compulsory liquidation, the primary route for recovery is through the bank you used to transfer the funds, rather than the company itself. Banks have strict obligations under the CRM Code and Mandatory Reimbursement Scheme to protect customers from fraud, and several have already reimbursed CityGate victims in full.

My bank has already refused to refund me. Is it too late?

No, it is not too late. Banks frequently reject initial fraud reimbursement claims. We can review your case and, if appropriate, escalate your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service for an independent, binding decision. Many successful CityGate recoveries have come after an initial bank rejection was overturned.

I invested via a bank transfer. Am I protected?

If you made a bank transfer from a UK bank account to another UK bank account, you may be covered by the Contingent Reimbursement Model (CRM) Code (for transfers after 28 May 2019) or the Mandatory Reimbursement Scheme (for transfers after 7 October 2024). We can assess which protections apply to your specific circumstances.

How long does the claims process take?

The timeline varies depending on the complexity of the case and whether the bank agrees to settle early or if the matter must be escalated to the Financial Ombudsman. On average, cases take between 6 and 12 months to resolve from initial submission to final outcome.

Do I need to wait for the police investigation to finish?

No. You do not need to wait for the conclusion of Operation Lily or any criminal proceedings to pursue a civil recovery claim through your bank and the Financial Ombudsman Service. These are entirely separate processes, and you can begin your claim immediately.

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important information about scam and fraud claims

Important Information

Compensation Adviser Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in respect of regulated claims management activity (FRN: 966803).

You are not required to use our services to pursue your claim. You can also seek further advice or shop around subject to any time limits within which a claim must be made.

It is possible for you to present the claim for free, either to the bank, business or person against whom you wish to complain or to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the Financial Services Compensation Scheme, whichever is applicable to your claim.