Northumberland County Council is continuing to clamp down on tenancy fraud which is depriving families and vulnerable people on its housing waiting list of a home. 

The council is urging people to be completely honest when applying for social housing on Northumberland Homefinder as rigorous checks are made by the fraud team and those who obtain a house by deception could face being taken off the Homefinder register, a fine or eviction. 

if anyone's circumstances have changed since applying for housing, they should update their application as soon as possible. 

Tenancy fraud occurs when social housing is not occupied by the named tenant or is sublet, when a home has been obtained by deception, or when succession has been wrongly claimed following the death of the lawful tenant.   

Northumberland County Councils Corporate Fraud team works closely with the Homefinder team, who manage the applications and waiting list.  A review of all active applications is underway to ensure only correct and up to date information is assessed.  

Northumberland County Councillor Colin Horncastle, cabinet member with responsibility for housing said:  

“Tenancy fraud is not a victimless crime and those that commit fraud to gain access to social housing do so at the expense of those in real, genuine need. 

“We take housing fraud very seriously and we will fully investigate every report of illegal subletting and tenancies obtained by deception. It is completely unfair that residents in desperate need of housing cannot have a home because of others abusing the system. 

“If you are aware of someone trying to improve their position on the Homefinder register by giving false information, or you are made aware of a property being misused, it is really important that you please let us know about it.” 

“If there has been an empty social housing property near you for any length of time, please get in touch with the landlord. There is a possibility this could be for a genuine reason, but abandonment is one of the most common cases of tenancy fraud that we deal with, and our officers will investigate to check out the circumstances.” 

Anyone who suspects any type of tenancy fraud is urged to report it, in complete confidence, by contacting their local council’s fraud team or the housing association who manages the property. If you are unsure who to contact, you can call Northumberland Council’s Fraud Hotline for advice on 01670 624359 or email them at fraudline@northumberland.gov.uk