Tenancy fraud happens when a home isn’t used as agreed in the tenancy. This might be because someone is living there without permission or because false information was given to get the tenancy.
It’s more common than many people realise. Research shows around 148,000 social homes in England are affected – that’s about one in 20 in London. Meanwhile, more than 1.33 million households are waiting for a social home.
Tenancy fraud is a serious matter. Under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013, it’s a criminal offence and could lead to a prison sentence of up to two years, an unlimited fine, or both.
Types of tenancy fraud
There are different types of tenancy fraud. Examples include:
Unlawful subletting
When a tenant rents out all, or part of their home to someone else without our permission
Not living at the property
Using it as anything other than your main home
Unlawful succession
When someone tries to take over a tenancy after a tenant has passed away, even though they’re not entitled to do so. This often involves a person claiming they lived with the tenant before their death, when in reality they lived elsewhere
Key selling
Passing your keys to someone else for money or favours
Providing false information
Giving incorrect details to get a tenancy
Abandoning the property
Moving out without telling us or claiming benefits for a home you no longer live in
Report benefit fraud
If you’re concerned that a tenant may be committing benefit fraud, please let the Department for Work and Pensions know. You can report it securely through the GOV.UK website.
Spotting tenancy fraud
You know your community best. If something doesn’t seem right, it might be a sign of tenancy fraud.
Things to look out for include:
✅ Strangers regularly coming and going from a home
✅ Signs the home might be used as a short-term rental, like lots of new visitors or different cars
✅ A neglected home or garden, or post piling up
✅ The property being advertised locally or mentioned on social media
How to report tenancy fraud
We want to make sure homes go to people who need them most. If you notice anything unusual, please let us know.
You can:
✅ Report anonymously if you prefer
✅ Be confident your information will be treated sensitively and your privacy will be respected
✅ Share your details if you’d like to – your identity will be protected
Recent tenancy fraud cases
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Case one
We recently worked with Wandsworth Council to look into a home we suspected was being subletted.
It turned out the person living there had moved out of London and was renting the home out privately.
Once we showed them the evidence, they decided to end the tenancy themselves – so we didn’t have to go through eviction proceedings.
The three-bedroom home is now back with us and ready for a family who needs it. The case has also been passed on to the authorities to look into concerns about benefit fraud and subletting.
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Case two
In another case, neighbours raised concerns about anti-social behaviour coming from a two-bedroom home. They said they hadn’t seen the person living there for some time and someone new had moved in. They’d moved abroad and let family members live there instead.
After we interviewed them they gave up the home. It’s now with a new family on our waiting list.
Make a report
Use this form to report tenancy fraud in a Peabody home.
Every report is investigated, although we may not be able to share the outcome due to data protection laws.
If you’re unsure or just want to talk things through, get in touch with us for advice.