Tackling Social Housing Tenancy Fraud

What is tenancy fraud?

There are different types of housing fraud. Here are some of the most common ones:

• unlawful subletting - is where a tenant lets out their council or housing association home without the knowledge or permission of their landlord. They often continue to pay the rent for the property directly to their landlord, but charge the person they are subletting to a much higher rate. It is unlawful and unfair to sublet and to profit from a property which could be given to someone legally entitled to occupy it.
• obtaining housing by deception - is where a person gets a council or housing association home by giving false information in their application, for example not telling the landlord they are renting another council or housing association property or giving false information about who lives with them.
• wrongly claimed succession - is where a tenant dies and someone, who is not entitled to, tries to take over or succeed the tenancy. For example, they might say they lived with the tenant before they died, when in fact they were living elsewhere.
• key selling - is where a tenant is paid to pass on their keys in return for a one-off payment

Why is it important to tackle tenancy fraud?

There isn't enough social housing to meet the needs of people who genuinely need it. We have to make the best use of the housing that is available ensuring that it is occupied by those who are legally entitled to do so. People waiting for social housing will have to wait even longer if homes continue to be occupied by people who have no right to be there

What can you do to help?

If you suspect someone is a tenancy cheat, please let us know. It could make a big difference to people in real need.

Tenancy fraud