Tenancy fraud: What it is and why it matters
Let’s talk about tenancy fraud and why it matters
International Fraud Awareness Week (16th-22nd November) is about helping people understand what fraud is and how to stop it. We’re using it to shine a light on tenancy fraud – what it means, how it affects our communities, and why it’s something we all need to take seriously.
What is tenancy fraud?
It happens when someone lives in a home they shouldn’t. For example, if they:
- Lie on a housing application
- Let someone else live there without telling us
- Claim the home after someone has passed away
- Swap homes without permission
- Rent it out short-term or sublet it without approval
Put simply, it’s cheating the system, and it hurts people who are waiting for a home.
Why it matters
Right now in Manchester:
- Over 3,000 families are stuck in temporary accommodation
- Around 2,000 social homes may be affected by fraud
- And 20,000 households are on the waiting list
Tenancy fraud puts extra pressure on the system – and it’s not fair.
Worried you’re involved without knowing?
If you’re a sub-tenant, you might not know the home you’re in is being rented unlawfully. You could be at risk of illegal eviction – but if that happens, we’ll do what we can to help and support you.
In some cases, we may consider rehousing as mentioned in our Allocations and Tenancy Management policies.
What happens if you’re found guilty of tenancy fraud?
We may take legal action to get the home back and recover costs. It could also affect your chances of getting social housing in future.
If you suspect something’s not right, let us know. Call our Customer Services team on 0300 111 0000 (Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm).
You can also read our Tenancy Fraud policy for more info.
