Manchester City Council has launched a new city-wide initiative to strengthen how we prevent, detect, and address tenancy fraud. We’ve partnered with Manchester City Council, as well as other Registered Providers, to support their new tenancy fraud campaign.
Tenancy fraud costs the national public purse an estimated £900 million a year. Tenancy fraud makes it harder for us to provide settled homes for people who truly need it. The cost of tenancy fraud isn’t just financial, it has a negative impact on the education of children, health, employment prospects, and the creation of safe communities.
All social housing tenants have an obligation to act within the terms of their tenancy agreements and could be subject to severe penalties should they commit tenancy fraud.
What is tenancy fraud?
There are lots of different ways someone can commit tenancy fraud. The most common types are:
- Unlawful subletting - When a social housing tenant has rented out the whole of their property and they are not living there themselves, i.e. the property is not their only or main property.
- Succession fraud - When someone tries to take over a tenancy after the tenant’s death and they are not entitled to do so. This may involve a person claiming to have lived with the deceased tenant before their death, when in fact they lived elsewhere.
- False or fraudulent housing applications - When someone has or is attempting to get social housing based on false information, e.g. someone failing to declare they already own a property.
- Right to Buy fraud - When a tenant fails to disclose information or knowingly provides false information when applying to buy a property under the Right to Buy scheme. This includes not living in the property as their only or main home.
What action can we take?
Tenancy fraud is a criminal offence, with potential consequences including:
- Up to 2 years’ imprisonment
- Unlimited fines
- Loss of tenancy
- Repayment of profits from unlawful subletting
- A criminal record
It remains a priority for Manchester City Council due to the impact fraudulent occupation has on families waiting for safe, secure, and affordable housing.
Report anonymously. Help your community.
If you have any information about tenancy fraud, you can report it anonymously to Manchester City Council so they can investigate it.
Please note they can investigate:
Housing tenancy fraud in relation to social housing. For advice in relation to privately rented accommodation please visit www.manchester.gov.uk/homes.
Any allegations of housing tenancy fraud where the tenancy address is in the Manchester City Council area. You can check your local authority area at www.gov.uk/find-local-council . If you live outside of the Manchester City Council boundaries, report fraud to your own local authority.
Report online at www.manchester.gov.uk/tenancy-fraud or speak to our Housing Management and Support team.
Key amnesty campaign: Return keys. Avoid court.
If you’re committing tenancy fraud, return your keys by Friday 27 February 2026 – no questions asked*.
Other families need homes.
* The key amnesty excludes those who have already been made aware that they are being investigated for suspected tenancy fraud.
