Housing Fraud
Most people applying for housing wait their turn to be allocated a home.
Housing cheats don't wait, they jump the queue. Its not fair.
They use up valuable housing spaces which deprive those in greater need. They are guilty of housing fraud.
What is housing fraud?
There are different types of housing fraud; here are some of the most common:
- Unlawful subletting
When a tenant lets out their council of housing association home without the knowledge or permission of their landlord they are unlawfully subletting.
They often continue to pay the rent for the property directly to their landlord, but charge the person they are subletting to a much higher rate. It is not fair to sublet and to profit from a property which could be given to someone in greater need. - Obtaining housing by deception
When a person gets a council or housing association home by giving false information in their application, for example not telling the landlord they are renting another council or housing association property, they are committing housing fraud. - Wrongly claimed succession
When a tenant dies, there are rules that say what should be done with the tenancy. Wrongly claimed succession is when someone, who in not entitled, tries to take over the tenancy. For example, they might say they lived with the tenant before they died, when in fact they were living elsewhere.
What can you do to help?
We are working hard to track down housing cheats and ensure that homes are given to those who are the next in line.
Your help is reporting housing fraud is important because you can see what's going on in your neighbourhood.
- You might know that somebody has a home the landlord doesn't know about or has given false information in their housing application
- You might suspect someone of housing fraud having seen them collect rent from your neighbours
- You might be suspicious because the tenants of a property keep changing
If you suspect someone is a housing cheat, let us know. It could make a real difference so please contact the Housing Options Team.
Anything you tell us will be held in the strictest confidence. All reports can be made anonymously.
Whats next?
We will investigate your concerns and the necessary action will be taken. If someone is found to have committed housing fraud that person could lose their tenancy.
All households within Swale should have received a Housing Fraud flyer with their 2010-11 Council Tax Bill. If you haven't received one you can view the housing cheats leaflet..
