It’s the first step in a campaign to take tougher action against illegal leasing
Manchester City Council has declared a ‘key amnesty’ for people illegally renting out social housing. Tenants fraudulently leasing houses owned by the council or a housing association can surrender their keys without consequence until Friday, February 27.
The call-out is the first step in a campaign to tackle tenancy fraud, which the council says is ‘taking homes away from those that need them most’. It comes as the number of residents needing social housing hits more than 21,600, with waiting lists of up to almost six years.
Around 11,000 households are on a priority need list. But despite having a stock of more than 70,000 homes, Manchester council is struggling to house them.
That figure includes a rising number of working young people aged between 18-25, some of whom are forced to sofa-surf, sleep rough, or spend the night on buses as they cannot afford private accommodation.
The local authority estimates that between three and six per cent of tenancies in social homes could be fraudulent, taking up to 4,200 houses out of circulation for households who really need them.
Examples of illegal arrangements include tenants living with family or a partner while renting out their home at market rates; subletting rooms without permission; and obtaining housing by deception or exchanging a property without permission.
Coun Gavin White, Manchester City Council’s executive member for housing and development, said: “Every fraudulent tenancy – whether by accident or by deception – is a home that could be made available for families on the housing register or in temporary accommodation. Knowingly committing tenancy fraud is not a victimless crime – it impacts Manchester families, communities and costs the Council millions of pounds every year. Money that could be better spent on services and support for our residents.
“I would urge anyone who thinks they might be committing tenancy fraud to come forward during the amnesty without consequence, and we will work with those people to make sure they are renting legally and open up more social rent homes for families that need them.”
Once the amnesty ends, the council will be stepping up its enforcement action. An expanded team of officers will continue to work through potential fraud cases and pursue prosecutions against those who are committing a crime.
The council has partnered with all of its housing providers to help tackle the issue.
Tenants who would like to take part in the key amnesty, or believe they might be a victim of a social housing tenancy fraud, can access more information on the council website.