Freeing up homes for people who need it

Tenancy fraud prevents us from providing homes to those who need it most – that is why we are taking part in a key amnesty initiative this November. 

Tenancy fraud is when someone uses false information to get a home they aren’t entitled to, or they don’t use their home in line with the terms of their tenancy. Common examples include:

• Providing false information on an application for your home  
• Providing false information when applying for the Right to Buy or Right to Acquire
• Not using the property as your main home
• Subletting your home to someone else without the landlord’s permission 
• Claiming a tenancy you aren’t entitled to once the lead tenant has passed away

Not only is tenancy fraud a breach of your tenancy agreement, but it is also a criminal offence. 

For example, if a tenant has moved to a different country and left their adult children in the home and not told us, that is tenancy fraud! Those children have essentially secured a tenancy without going through the proper route.

As some people may be committing tenancy fraud by genuine mistake, we are taking part in a key amnesty initiative so tenants can give us their keys back without fear of prosecution!

A key amnesty means that anyone committing tenancy fraud will be able to hand back the keys to the property without fear of prosecution – unless they have already been notified they are under investigation. Usually, tenancy fraud can lead to up to two years in prison.

To return your keys, simply bring them to our Gateway House office and we can end your tenancy on the spot, or you can contact your housing officer. 

If you think that your neighbour may be illegally subletting, living elsewhere or committing another type of tenancy fraud, you can let us know in confidence. 

Send us an anonymous message by filling out the contact form here – we take cases of tenancy fraud very seriously, and we will investigate all reports of alleged tenancy fraud and take action accordingly.