From 16 - 22 November 2025, we’re launching Tenancy Fraud Action Week – a campaign dedicated to raising awareness about tenancy fraud within social housing.
Our aim is to ensure that our homes go to those who genuinely need them.
So, what is tenancy fraud?
Tenancy fraud is when someone lies or cheats to get or keep a home they’re not entitled to. Types of tenancy fraud include:
- Subletting – this happens when a tenant rents out part or all of their home, even to a family member, without permission. This is a crime that can lead to prison or a fine under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 and the Fraud Act 2006. It can happen anywhere, including through platforms like Airbnb. Social landlords can ask courts to make tenants repay any illegal profits, often amounting to tens of thousands of pounds
- Misrepresentation – this is when someone lies or leaves out facts to get a home or a transfer into a bigger one and can lead to a fine. This is true even if someone else lies for them without being asked
- Joint Tenancy Fraud – Picture this: A sole tenant tells their landlord that their partner has moved in and requests a joint tenancy. Once approved, the original tenant moves out, leaving the remaining tenant, who often doesn't have a genuine need, in the home alone. This is another type of tenancy fraud and is taken very seriously as it takes away homes from those who genuinely need them
- Key Selling - If a social tenant is granted a tenancy but never moves in and instead sells the keys to a third party, then this constitutes a criminal offence and is tenancy fraud
- Succession Fraud – Unfortunately, this is a growing phenomenon in the social housing field. Put simply, it’s when a tenant dies, and a person claims the right to succeed the tenancy and home, by saying they’ve lived there for the required amount of time, when in fact, they haven’t.
You can report online
Tenancy fraud harms the borough because it results in, us losing much needed social housing to the private sector, longer waiting lists for residents needing housing, unlawful occupants often living in poor housing conditions and expensive repairs when the unauthorised occupant leaves
Report NowAction we'll take
It is a criminal offence to commit tenancy fraud. If we have evidence a tenant has committed tenancy fraud we will seek to prosecute at court. The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 carries a sentence of up to two years and/or a fine up to £5,000.
We can make a claim for:
- any profit made from tenancy fraud to be repaid to the council
- possession of the home through the courts
- any rent arrears and legal costs
