Fraud Awareness Week 2023: stamping out tenancy fraud
Tenancy fraud affects us all. Every home that is linked to tenancy fraud costs the taxpayer £42k. And more than 100,000 families are in temporary accommodation because of tenancy fraud.
Tenancy fraud is when people are living in homes without the right to do so. It’s a criminal offence, which can mean a prison sentence.
Tenancy Fraud is:
- Subletting
- Not being truthful to get a tenancy
- Key selling
- Not living in the property
Tenancy fraud denies homes to those most in need. In Tower Hamlets, there are over 19,000 people on the waiting list for housing. Tenancy fraud can also have a negative impact on the local community - when homes are abandoned, anti-social behaviour can occur, such as vandalism and in some cases, homes being used for criminal activity.
By reporting a potential case of tenancy fraud, you’re massively helping both the local and wider community.
Signs of tenancy fraud
Spotting tenancy fraud isn’t always easy, but below are some signs to look out for which could indicate that something isn’t quite right.
- People are moving in and out of the home frequently
- Your neighbours don’t know when the rubbish is collected
- You see someone collecting rent from your neighbours
- You haven’t seen anyone entering or leaving the home in a while
How to report it
If you suspect a case of tenancy fraud, you should contact our customer service team. They will inform your neighbourhood officer, who will then start investigations and work with Tower Hamlets Council.