Tenancy fraud key amnesty until 17 July 2026

An estimated 100,000 social homes nationwide are occupied by someone who doesn’t have the right to live there. That’s known as tenancy fraud.  

Tenancy fraud is a serious crime, and if found guilty you face losing your home, a fine of up to £50,000 or two years’ imprisonment.

Right now, there are a record number of families living in temporary accommodation. That’s why we’re running a key amnesty, to help make sure that our homes are available to those in genuine need. 

For a limited time only  

Until Friday 17 July 2026, anyone committing tenancy fraud can return their keys to us, with no further action taken against them.

What counts as tenancy fraud? 

Some of the most common forms of tenancy fraud are: 

• Illegal subletting: where the tenant doesn’t live in the property and rents it to someone else to gain profit. 
• Obtaining housing by deception: giving false information to get social housing. 
• Key selling: when a tenant sells the keys to pass the property on to someone else. 
• Wrongly claimed succession: taking over a tenancy by succession when they’re not entitled to live in the property. 
• Abandonment: when a tenant moves out of a property and lives elsewhere with no intention to return. 

How to return your keys to us 

If you are living in a property illegally, you may be able to avoid prosecution by returning your keys to us. 

It’s easy to return your keys to us. Just put them in an envelope and label them with the address of the property, you don't need to include your name or any other information. 

Then, either send them via post them or drop them off in person to our office at: 102 Blackstock Rd, Finsbury Park, London N4 2DR.