Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Housing Solicitors

Cornwall announces social housing tenancy fraud amnesty (24 November 2014)

Date: 24/11/2014
Duncan Lewis, Housing Solicitors, Cornwall announces social housing tenancy fraud amnesty

Cornwall Council has announced a tenancy amnesty which would enable people in social housing committing tenancy fraud to hand in the keys to the property without fear of prosecution.

Local publisher The Falmouth Packet reports that as many as 200 social housing properties owned by Cornwall Council and Cornwall Housing may be occupied fraudulently.

Tenancy fraud is on the increase and means social housing tenants in genuine need are deprived of the chance to move into a home.

A spokesman for Cornwall Council said:

“In order to combat those increases, a new law – The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 – came into force in October 2013.

“This means that tenants committing tenancy fraud in social housing tenancies now risk criminal investigation and prosecution, in addition to the risk of losing their tenancy and significant court costs.”

Cornwall Council and Cornwall Housing are running a “Key Amnesty” for tenants committing social housing fraud from 1 January-28 February 2015.

The council said that tenancy fraud mainly occurred as a result of fraudulent applications for housing – including waiting list and homelessness applications – as well as fraudulent succession applications, unlawful subletting, tenants selling on keys to social housing properties, properties being abandoned, fraudulent “Right to Buy” applications and unauthorised assignment of social housing properties.

The council’s spokesman said:

“Every property being used fraudulently stops another household in housing need from accessing that affordable housing.

“New homes cost on average well over £150,000 to build – and the cost of housing homeless families in temporary accommodation can total up to £18,000 while they wait to access the accommodation they need; not to mention what the impacts of being homeless have on those households.”

The spokesman added that there were more than 28,000 households seeking an affordable home registered on Cornwall Homechoice, making it even more important to crack down on tenancy fraud in Cornwall.

“Cornwall Housing and Cornwall Council have always worked hard to prevent tenancy fraud – but with new powers to help us deal with tenancy fraud, we are even more determined to identify those tenants and deal with them accordingly,” said the council’s spokesman.

“Cornwall Council and Cornwall Housing are working in partnership and have a specialist fraud team who will investigate any concerns or reports of tenancy fraud.

“We have already had recent successes where two properties have been returned to us without the need to pursue a full criminal investigation or to consider taking criminal proceedings.

“This provides the extra benefit of homes being returned quickly, without protracted investigations and legal cases and without the additional burdens of high legal costs,” he added.

The change in the law under The Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013 means that tenants who illegally sublet homes may face a prison sentence, criminal record and a £5,000 fine.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors/strong>

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of housing solicitors and can advise social housing tenants and rental tenants on a wide range of housing matters, including:

• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing possession
• Landlord & Tenant disputes
• Local Authority housing
• Nuisance neighbours
• Unlawful or malicious eviction.

Duncan Lewis is also a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors.

For exert legal advice on housing law, call Duncan Lewis housing solicitors on 020 7923 4020.


For all Housing related matter contact us now.Contact Us

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is 143-149 Fenchurch St, London, EC3M 6BL. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.