Riverside is partnering with local councils and other housing providers across Kent to offer a ‘key amnesty’ to tenants who are committing tenancy fraud. During June, tenants can hand in their keys without facing prosecution or legal action.

Tenancy fraud is a very serious issue. It restricts the amount of housing available for those with a genuine need.

Riverside’s Counter Fraud Specialist Raj Vine said: “We are running this awareness campaign so that those living in Riverside properties and committing tenancy fraud have the chance to do the right thing without being investigated or prosecuted. We will also offer advice and refer them to the local council.

“Even during the amnesty if someone else suspects tenancy fraud and reports it, then this will be investigated in the normal way which could lead to prosecution.”

There are several ways in which tenants can defraud their local authority or housing provider, and the penalties can be severe, with a jail term of up to two years and fines of up to £50,000.

Riverside are working with the Kent Tenancy Fraud team as part of the campaign. Adam Simmonds, Chairman said: “The most basic form of fraud is simply lying about your circumstances in order to rent a home you wouldn’t otherwise be entitled to.

“It is also against the law for a tenant to make a profit from subletting a spare room in the house without asking the landlord’s permission or to move out completely and charge another family or families rent on the home that is registered to them.”

Adam continued: “There are also cases where the tenant dies and a relative falsely claims to have been living in the house for a number of years, sometimes claiming they were looking after the former owner, in order to be given the tenancy.”

Riverside tenants in the Kent area can get in touch with the Customer Service Centre on 0345 111 0000 and arrange either to drop off or post the keys back to Riverside.

View this short film about tenancy fraud and Key Amnesty month.