Tenancy fraud prevents properties from being available for Housing Solutions to offer to people who are in real need of housing. It is a serious breach of tenancy and a criminal offence.

 

  • Our Policy

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  • What is tenancy fraud?
    • Providing false information to gain a property.
    • Subletting a property to someone else.
    • Not using the property as their main home.
  • Common types of tenancy fraud:
    • Unlawful subletting: Unauthorised occupants reside in the property, including subletting the whole or part of the property without the landlord's consent.
    • Key selling: Tenants sell the keys to a property in exchange for money, goods, or other benefits.
    • Non-occupation: Tenants claim their home is their principal residence but use it as a secondary property and reside there infrequently or not at all.
    • Fraudulent successions: Tenancies are retained or maintained following the tenant's death without the landlord's consent or knowledge.
    • Unauthorised exchange, assignment, or mutual exchange: Tenants exchange or assign a property without the landlord's consent or knowledge.
    • Fraudulent application for a housing transfer: Tenants present false or misleading information to obtain a transfer, including misrepresentation of circumstances and providing false identification documents.
  • Consequences:
    • Breach of tenancy agreement and breaking the law.
    • Risk of losing the home and incurring court costs.
    • Penalty of up to two years in prison and a £50,000 fine.
  • How to report tenancy fraud:

    If you suspect tenancy fraud, report it in confidence via: 
    Telephone: 01628 543101
    In person: Housing Solutions Office Crown House, Waldeck Rd, Maidenhead, West Berkshire SL6 8BY
    Online: https://housingsolutions-react-site-live.azurewebsites.net/RemoteWebForm/Load?code=0o5oqg3dxcv

    We take it seriously and will investigate all reports, working with partners like the local authority, the police, and the Department of Work and Pensions.

  • Benefit fraud

    Please note that Local Authorities no longer investigate benefit fraud. This is now the responsibility of the Department of Work and Pensions. 

    If someone claims Housing Benefit and/or Social Security benefits where they have no right to entitlement, they are committing benefit fraud. 

    Typical examples of benefit fraud are: 

    • People, who work, but don't declare this when they submit their claim. 

    • People, who claim as a single person, but actually live with a partner. 

    • People, who claim from an address, but do not live there. 

    • People who do not tell the Council the full amount of income, savings or capital they have when they claim benefit. 

    • People who for any reason do not have any right to claim Housing Benefit. 

    How to report benefit fraud 

    Telephone: call the National Benefit Fraud Hotline on 0800 854 440. Your call is free and confidential. You do not have to give your name or address. Lines are open Monday to Friday - 8am to 6pm. If you have speech or hearing problems, you can use a text phone service on 0800 328 0512 or Welsh speakers can call on 0800 678 3722. 

    Online: www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud 

    By post: NBFH, PO Box 224, Preston PR1 1GP