Tenancy Fraud

There are many different types of tenancy fraud. These are the most common:

• Unlawful subletting - when a tenant rents out all, or part of their home to someone else without our permission. (The ‘sub-tenant’ may be seen to be participating in fraud and as such may be committing a criminal offence).
• 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. If they are claiming Single Persons Discount on their Council Tax and do not inform the local authority, this is benefit fraud which is a criminal offence carrying a potential prison sentence). This information is shared with local authority partners.
• 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 a tenant moves out and sells their key to someone else. (Both parties may be seen to be working together to commit fraud and may face prosecution).
• Abandonment - when a tenant stops living at their home and leaves it, but doesn’t tell us and does not contact the local authority to stop any benefits they have been claiming.
• Making a fraudulent Right To Buy application.
• Keeping a social rented home when they own another property.

We take tenancy fraud very seriously and will take action to regain possession of properties and recover any unlawful profits made by residents wherever we find evidence of tenancy fraud. Our right to do this has been enforced by the government in The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013.

We work hard to combat tenancy fraud. Network Homes works with other agencies to take action against residents found to be subletting their properties. This releases the homes involved to those who need them.

Do you know someone in a home who is renting it out without permission, got their home by giving false information or is living somewhere else (someone else may be living at the property or it may be empty)? Then they could potentially be committing tenancy fraud, using up valuable housing accommodation and depriving families and vulnerable people who are on the waiting list. 

You can report tenancy fraud in confidence by calling 0208 459 9463 or emailing fraud@networkhomes.org.uk

Any information you give us will be treated in the strictest of confidence and your identity will be protected. You can report the suspected fraud anonymously but please give us as much information as possible to help our investigations. The more information that we have the better the chance we have of stopping it.

Residents breaking the law by subletting their home are being given the chance to hand in their keys in a one-off amnesty by Network Homes. The temporary reprieve will give residents living in our properties an opportunity to avoid prosecution for tenancy fraud and up to two years in prison by handing their keys back to us Friday 28 June 2019.

Anyone who owns up during the amnesty will not have legal action taken against them for any tenancy fraud offences and will help us re-let the properties to people who really need them.

Illegal subletting is a criminal offence – with a prison sentence or fine of up to £5,000”

You can hand in your key at the reception of our offices in Wembley and Hertford where a tenancy termination should be signed. The tenancy will be terminated with immediate effect without the need for the required notice period.

You can find out more information by calling 0208 459 9463 or emailing fraud@networkhomes.org.uk

Network Homes is committed to tackling tenancy fraud and we are offering a reward of £250 to residents and members of the public when a referral of suspected tenancy fraud leads to the successful recovery of one of our social housing properties. This reward scheme will run for a year ending on 27 May 2020.

How does the reward scheme work?

Any referral made will be acknowledged by Network Homes. We will then investigate the matter and you may be contacted for further information. If someone has committed tenancy fraud we will take any necessary action including recovering the property.

Due to volume of referrals and whilst we investigate the matter we will not be able to provide you with an update. You will be contacted on once the matter has been concluded to confirm if you are eligible for the reward.

Network Homes will pay the sum of £250 through credit to your rent/Network account where the referral has lead to the successful recovery of our property. For non-residents, payment will be made in cash. This may involve a court case which can take some time. If we need to go to court, we may ask you to provide evidence we can use usually in the form of a witness statement. If you wish to remain anonymous we will protect your identify.

Should your referral concern a property that is already subject to a tenancy fraud investigation, it would not qualify as being eligible for the reward scheme.

You can report the suspected fraud in confidence by calling 0208 459 9463 or emailing fraud@networkhomes.org.uk