Tenancy Fraud has a massive impact on the social housing sector.  There isn’t enough social housing to meet the needs of people who genuinely need it, so its important to report Tenancy Fraud when aware of it.

What is Tenancy Fraud

Tenancy fraud is when someone is living in a home they shouldn’t be.

Tenancy fraud is illegal, and people can go to prison or receive a fine.

It is a big issue – around 1 in 100 social homes are being lived in illegally. It denies homes to families who need them.

Types of Tenancy Fraud

There are different types of Tenancy Fraud.  The most common ones include:

Unlawful subletting – where a tenant lets out their council or housing association home without the knowledge or permission of their landlord.

Obtaining home by deception – where a person gets a council or housing association home by giving false information in their application.

Key selling – where a tenant is paid to pass on their keys in return for a one-off payment.

Wrongly claimed succession – when a tenant dies and someone, who is not entitled to, tries to take over or succeed the tenancy.

How to spot Tenancy Fraud

Tenancy Fraud is not easy to spot however here are a few things to look out for:

• A sudden change in who’s living in the home.
• Someone being vague about who lives in the property or their relationship with them.
• Increased anti-social behaviour at the property.
• If your neighbour’s passed away and a friend or family member’s now living in the home
• The home seems to be abandoned.
• Your neighbour’s talking about their landlord as a person, rather than a housing association or council.

Think someone is committing Tenancy Fraud?

If you think someone is committing Tenancy Fraud, contact us.  You can do this anonymously.