Cracking down on tenancy fraud

Tenancy fraud poster

Published: Monday 05th November 2018 | 10.34am

Cannock Chase Council is encouraging tenants to help them combat tenancy fraud by launching a targeted campaign this month.

Every year people in housing need are denied a Council home due to those people who cheat the housing system.

The most common forms of tenancy fraud are; illegal occupancy, not living in a council property but living elsewhere, subletting a home to someone else, key selling for a profit, obtaining a tenancy by making false claims about identity or circumstances, or wrongly claiming a right to ‘succession’.

Cannock Chase Council's Investigation Team has been working closely with the Council's Housing Department in order to prevent, detect and deter tenancy fraud.

Councillor Alan Pearson, Portfolio Leader for Housing said “Tenancy fraud is illegal and can have serious consequences associated with it.  If you are found guilty of tenancy fraud it may result in you being evicted from your council home, being prosecuted of a criminal offence which could lead to imprisonment or a fine of up to £50,000.  This campaign will help raise awareness with tenants and residents of the consequences.”

The Council’s campaign will start at the beginning of November to raise awareness in the District and this will include promotion such as; letter drops, posters, articles in newsletters and through social media. 

This campaign previously ran in 2015 and proved to be very successful with 18 properties recovered.

If you suspect someone is committing tenancy fraud, then please call in confidence on tenancy fraud hot line 0800 756 3992, report it online on the website at www.cannockchasedc.gov.uk/tenancyfraud or email us at investigations@cannockchasedc.gov.uk

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