At Stockport Homes, we’re committed to keeping our communities safe and ensuring our homes go to those in genuine need. Our Tenancy Fraud Service continues to deliver excellent results, successfully identifying and resolving cases of unlawful subletting across our housing stock.
Social housing tenancy fraud costs the taxpayer millions of pounds every year. Housing fraud is a criminal offence and tenancy fraud prevents housing needs being met.
Housing fraud prevents people in need from accessing affordable homes, which can make communities less safe.
The different types of Housing Fraud are:
- Key Selling
- Abandonment
- Fraudulent Application
- Unlawful Succession
- Sub-Letting
Housing Fraud is on the increase, with opportunities arising on social media and advertising websites to list council properties. We have a zero-tolerance approach to fraud and with more than 9000 applicants on the waiting list for a property with Stockport Homes, it is vital that we investigate all cases of housing fraud and take necessary action.
Subletting Investigation (April 2024 - October 2025)
In April 2024, a neighbour reported that a tenant had not been seen at their address for some time, and other individuals appeared to be occupying the property.
Investigation Findings
Credit checks were conducted on the tenant which identified an alternate address in Alderley Edge for them. Land Registry checks confirmed the landlord of the property, and a tenancy agreement was obtained. This showed the tenant had an agreement to lease the property for 12 months at a cost of £1000pcm. Utility checks also confirmed that the tenant was paying for the energy at the property in Alderley Edge.
Checks with Gumtree showed that the tenant had been placing adverts for two separate rooms to rent at their property with Stockport Homes. A copy of the customers bank statements, obtained under POSHFA, showed regular payments of £500 per month from two different individuals. A vehicle was identified for one of the sub tenants and checks with DVLA confirmed, it was registered to the tenancy address, to one of the individuals who had been sending regular rent payments to the tenant. A drive by to the Alderley Edge property sighted the tenant at the address.
Outcome
The tenant was interviewed under caution and denied the allegations. Following several court hearings, the case was resolved in October 2025. The property was recovered, and the tenant repaid £1,500 in unlawful profit.
Making a Real Difference
These outcomes highlight the effectiveness of our Tenancy Fraud Service in protecting Stockport Homes properties and ensuring fair access for those who truly need housing.
Our service is highly respected within the housing fraud community, and we’re proud that other housing providers regularly reach out for guidance.
Here at Stockport Homes, our aim is to keep our communities safer and make sure our stock is given to applicants in genuine need.
