We use the term fraud to describe circumstances where social housing is improperly obtained, misused or wrongly occupied.
Tenancy fraud should be reported. Someone may be taking a home they are not entitled to, which is not fair to the thousands of people waiting to be rehoused.
Contact us if you suspect someone is involved in tenancy fraud.
Forms of tenancy fraud
There are different forms of tenancy fraud.
Unlawful subletting
When one of our tenants lets out their home without our knowledge or permission, they are unlawfully subletting. It's a criminal offence punishable by large fines or imprisonment.
The tenant often continues to pay the rent for the property but charges rent to the person they are subletting to.
Obtaining housing by deception
When a person gets a council home by giving false information in their application, for example not telling us they are renting another property, they're committing tenancy fraud.
Wrongly claimed succession
When a tenant dies, there are rules about what should happen with the tenancy. Wrongly claimed succession is when someone who's not entitled under the rules tries to take over the tenancy.
Non-occupation by the tenant as their principle home
This is when a tenant has moved out to live somewhere else but has not told us. The tenant might have moved in with family or friends.
Unauthorised home swapping
This is when two council tenants swap homes without our permission.