Tenancy Fraud Awareness Week 2019

19 March 2019

Tenancy fraud can take properties away from families who urgently need one

We’re joining the Tenancy Fraud Awareness Week campaign to raise awareness and help you spot when fraud occurs.

In 2018, £216.1 million was lost due to housing fraud, making it the most expensive area of fraud detected in the public sector. The annual Tenancy Fraud Awareness Week for Yorkshire and Humberside runs from Monday 11 March to Friday 15 March 2019.

We investigate housing fraud on behalf of:

• City of York Council
• Richmondshire District Council
• Selby District Council
• Broadacres Housing Association
• Home Group
• York Housing Association
• Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust

Common types of tenancy fraud

Subletting a property

If a tenant lets out their property without the consent of the landlord, this is an offence. They may have left a family member there, or may have found a private tenant of their own who may not realise they are living in a social housing property.

Additionally the new person at the property may be paying much higher rent than the tenant had to pay, thus allowing the tenant to make an unlawful profit.

Abandoning a property

If a resident has stopped using their property as their main and principal home without informing the landlord, and they have no intention to return, this is classed as abandonment.

This deprives others of using of the property and will only increase the housing waiting list.

False application for housing or Right to Buy

Council tenants and some social housing tenants may qualify to buy their property under the Right to Buy scheme. They will receive a discount on the sale price, depending on how many years they have been a tenant.

Yet if they are subletting or abandoning the property at the time, they will not be eligible to buy it. Similarly, providing false information or withholding information on when applying for a home is an offence.

By doing so an individual could climb the housing register and falsely acquire a property, and therefore deprive others in more urgent need.

False succession / assignment claim

A property can be succeeded or assigned to an immediate family member in the event of the tenant moving out or passing away. The family member must have been living in the property for 12 months prior to the tenant’s death in order to qualify.

Fraudsters may abuse this system by claiming to be in occupation when they were not, in order to gain the property for themselves.

Property exchanges

This fraud occurs when a property is exchanged for another council or social property without the landlord’s permission. Often exchanges are made for a one off payment, and thus individuals are making a fraudulent financial profit from social housing.

Tenancy fraud is a criminal offence

It could result in a prosecution. Anyone convicted of housing fraud may receive substantial fines, a custodial sentence and a criminal record.

Fraudsters found to be abusing the housing system can be struck off the housing register, losing their entitlement to social housing in the future.

Investigators have powers to obtain information to determine if fraud is taking place and housing providers can seek legal orders to recover profits made by those who sublet.

Read more

Explore our counter fraud service page, or visit the Tenancy Fraud Forum website.

Do you suspect someone is committing tenancy fraud? Call us confidentially on 0800 9179 247 or send your concerns in an email to [email protected]