14. Tenancy fraud
14. Tenancy fraud
- 14.1. Tenancy fraud has a significant impact on both applicants seeking a social housing home or current tenants not receiving improvements in their home due to unavailable resource linked to fraudulent activities. Tenancy fraud includes:
- sub-letting
- abandoning a property
- applying for right to buy; rehousing; tenancy succession or undertaking a mutual exchange through providing misleading information
- making false declarations for benefits or other grants
- housing application/allocation fraud - deliberately providing inaccurate information on their housing application with the intention of securing a social housing property
- 14.2. The Council will use and share information with colleagues from other registered housing providers; Department of Work and Pensions and other organisations that may assist to identify and evidence potential fraud. Where an application is subject to suspected fraud the Council reserves the right to suspend the request pending the conclusion of relevant fraudulent checks. If fraud is detected reasonable and proportionate actions including legal actions will be undertaken.
- 14.3. The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 outlines sub-letting a social housing property is illegal. Any tenants found sub-letting may be prosecuted. If convicted a tenant will be liable to pay any profits made from the fraud, fined up to £50,000 and or sentenced to 2 years in person. The Council subscribes as a member of the National Anti-Fraud Network to proactively action any potential fraud related to social housing homes.
- 14.4. The Council is committed to ensuring all homes are occupied by tenants who they have been let to and will proactively investigate reports of inappropriate fraudulent behaviour. This will include:
- undertaking a comprehensive sign up process outlining responsibilities of holding a Council tenancy
- undertaking regular tenancy support visits including photo identification to validate tenant occupancy
- keeping all complainants up to date regarding issues raised and investigated
- acting promptly when undertaking investigations including using best practice outlined by the National Anti-Fraud Network
- supporting complainants throughout the process including in formal court actions requiring witness involvement
Last modified on 25 September 2025
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