A freephone number which allows people to report suspected abuse of social housing has already started reaping results.

Social Solidarity Minister Michael Falzon told Parliament that the freephone number – 80072294 – had only been introduced recently but 18 reports had already been received, all of which were promptly followed up.

Replying to a question posed by MP Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, Dr Falzon said that the Housing Authority had brought in three people who were experienced in investigating this sort of abuse.

Read: Tell us about social housing abuse, Housing Authority tells the public

Abuse can include renting a government property to third parties and squatting. There have also been cases where the relatives of the tenant keep the property as a second home after the tenant's death.

The government hosts tenants in 7,200 apartments. Last year the government recovered 89 properties following inspections which uncovered abuse.