Tenant newsletter final - Flipbook - Page 14
WHAT IS TENANCY FRAUD
Tenancy fraud is when someone is living in a home that they do not have the
right to be living in. Tenancy fraud is illegal, can carry a fine of up to £5,000
and can potentially lead to imprisonment. The people who are committing
tenancy fraud are preventing those most in need of a home from having
one.
Some examples of tenancy fraud are:
• Unlawful subletting – when someone rents out all or part of their home
to someone else without our permission. Or letting family/friends live in
the property when they are elsewhere.
• Obtaining housing by deception – when a person applying for housing
knowingly gives false information in their application.
• Unlawful succession – when someone who is not entitled to the property
takes over the tenancy.
• Key selling – when someone moves out and sells their key to someone
else. Both parties may be seen to be working together to commit fraud
and may both face prosecution.
• Keeping a social rented home when they own, or part own, another
property.
• Failing to report a change in circumstances. For example; a single person
living on their own moves a partner or family member into their home.
• Abandonment – when someone stops living at their home but does not
tell us and does not contact the local authority to stop any benefits they
have been claiming.
Some signs that tenancy fraud may be taking place include:
• A sudden change in who is living in the home.
• Someone being vague about who lives in the property or what their
relationship is to them.
• Increased anti-social behaviour at the property.
• If a resident has passed away and a friend or family member is now living
in the home.
• The property seems to have been abandoned.
• People talking about their landlord as a person, rather than as being
Cornerstone.
If you suspect that someone is committing tenancy fraud in a one of our
properties, you should contact us at mail@cornerstonehousing.net or call
us on 01392 273462 or notify your housing officer.
You may be committing tenancy fraud without realising. If after reading this
you are unsure if your tenancy is legal, you can contact us on 01392 273462
and speak to your housing officer about your situation so we can advise you,
alternatively you can seek independent advice through the local Citizens
Advice Bureau or legal other legal advice agency.