Tenancy Fraud Policy

This is a summary of our Tenancy Fraud Policy and shows the actions we’ll take to prevent, detect and act against tenancy fraudsters. 

Download Tenancy Fraud Policy (PDF). Please let us know if you require this document in an alternative format.

Introduction

When tenancy fraud is committed it stops people from accessing the housing they need and stops us from making best use of the homes we offer.

This policy applies to our:

  • Affordable and social rent homes
  • Shared ownership homes
  • Private rent homes

Tenancy fraud falls into four areas:

  1. Unlawful subletting – where one of our customers lets out their home without our permission.
  2. Obtaining a house by deception – where false information is provided on a housing application.
  3. Succession by deception – where a person makes a false claim for succession of a home following the death of the tenant
  4. Key selling – where the legal tenant is paid to pass on their keys.

Fraud prevention

Before we allocate any of our homes, we undertake rigorous checks to make sure the applicant is who they say they are. We work with Kent Homechoice to check applicants and occupants against the information they provided to the housing register.

We request photographic ID and supporting documents, such as bank statements/passports/driving licences and we store this information to use during tenancy audits.

If we need to, we’ll do further checks through:

  • Local authority records
  • National anti-fraud intelligence network
  • Electoral register
  • Credit referencing agencies

Fraud Detection

  • Once a year we do a tenancy audit to check the person living in the home is the legal tenant
  • We work with local authority partners and other agencies to detect, investigate and take legal action against fraudsters.
  • We encourage local residents to report any suspicions of tenancy fraud and investigate all tip offs.
  • We operate in accordance with the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013

Taking action against fraud

  1. If we think fraud is taking place we’ll investigate, gather evidence and build a case.
  2. Where our evidence supports a case that fraud may be taking place, the tenant(s) will be notified and asked to provide evidence on the legal use of their home.
  3. If the tenant(s) can’t evidence their right to live there legally, we’ll take action to re-possess the home and look to recover court and any other costs.
  4. Homes we re-possess will be reallocated in line with our Lettings Policy

Legislation regulation & guidance

Our Tenancy Fraud Policy complies with the following Government Legislation:

  • Law of Property Act 1925
  • Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013
  • Housing Act 1985 as amended
  • Housing Act 1988 as amended
  • Data Protection Act 1988

Equality & diversity

We recognise the needs of a diverse population and always act within the scope of our Equality and Diversity Policy, the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equalities Act 2010.