If someone is found to be committing tenancy fraud, they could lose their home, be fined, or even face prison.
Tenancy fraud is when someone lies or deceives to get or keep a home they’re not entitled to.
Examples of tenancy fraud
There are a few common examples of tenancy fraud.
Subletting without permission
Renting out all or part of your home without approval (even to family), is illegal. This includes short-term lets through platforms like Airbnb. Offenders can be fined, jailed, and ordered to repay any profits.
Misrepresentation
Giving false or incomplete information to get a home or move to a bigger one is fraud. This applies even if someone else lies on your behalf.
Joint tenancy fraud
This is when a tenant adds someone to the tenancy, then moves out, leaving the new tenant in the home without a genuine need. This unfairly blocks others from accessing housing.
Key selling
If someone is granted a tenancy but never moves in and sells the keys to someone else, that’s tenancy fraud and it’s a criminal offence.
Succession fraud
Succession fraud is when someone falsely claims the right to take over a tenancy after the tenant dies by saying they lived there long enough when they did not.
Read our BCP Homes tenancy fraud policy to find out more.
Report tenancy fraud
If you suspect tenancy fraud, let us know.
With the current housing crisis, it’s more important than ever to make sure homes go to those who truly need them.
You can report tenancy fraud online or call us on 0800 028 1870.