Cheating tenants avoid legal action
Amnesty sees keys returned to combat fraud
Life-changing accommodation is being offered to new tenants thanks to the success of an antifraud campaign across Kent. Tenants across the county who are illegally cheating others out of a home were being given a chance to change their ways and avoid punishment.
Housing associations and councils have this month offered a ‘key amnesty’ to those subletting their home without permission or charging other people to live in the property while they stay elsewhere.
West Kent’s Head of Tenancy Services Genette Pinwill, said: “It is a bonus we already know of cases where tenants have been prompted to give back their keys and walk away knowing we won’t take any further action.” Housing association Optivo has already recovered one home being rented fraudulently and is following up two more possible cases where the tenant is no longer living in the house. Elsewhere, Southern Housing Group has recovered one set of keys from a tenant who had moved to Hastings with her partner and left her daughter living in the premises, while Clarion Housing Group has taken back a home sublet by a tenant who had moved to Surrey.
Other social landlords amongst the 14 taking part are confident the campaign will make a difference. Moving out completely and charging another family rent on the property that is registered to them is also illegal and can result in a jail term of up to two years and fines of up to £50,000.
In last month’s amnesty tenants who handed in their keys will not face prosecution or legal action of any kind.