Key amnesty to be held to counter tenancy fraud
A key amnesty is to be held in St Albans District to give people the chance to avoid prosecution for tenancy fraud.
Subletting a social housing property or not using it as a main home is a criminal offence which can result in a two-year jail sentence.
It also denies a home to individuals and families on the District’s housing register who are in genuine need of a place of their own.
St Albans City and District Council owns 4,800 homes and has the nomination rights for around 1,200 other properties owned by housing associations.
From Monday 3 March, anyone who is not using their Council home in accordance with their tenancy agreement can return their key.
By doing so, they will avoid legal action being taken against them for any tenancy fraud they may have committed.
People who have already been notified of legal action will not be allowed to take part in the scheme.
This amnesty will run for four weeks until Monday 31 March after which enforcement action will resume against anyone suspected of fraud.
Tenants can hand their keys over to the Council’s reception staff at the Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, during office hours*.
The Council is working on the initiative in partnership with Hertfordshire Shared Anti-Fraud Service with the aim of recovering Council homes that are being used illegally.
These properties will then be relet to people on the housing register.
Councillor Jacqui Taylor, Lead for Housing, said:
Tenancy fraud is a serious issue across the country and we know that it is likely to be going on in St Albans District to some extent.
It is a deplorable offence because it deprives people on our housing register of the home they are entitled to.
This key amnesty is an opportunity for people who are in breach of their tenancy agreement to come forward during March, do the right thing and avoid prosecution.
I would urge anyone who is subletting their Council home or not using it as their main residence to hand in their keys, otherwise they risk getting a criminal record.
Anyone can report suspicions of tenancy fraud by calling 0300 123 4033 or by visiting this website.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727- 819533; john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.
*See here for details of the Council’s Civic Centre office hours: https://www.stalbans.gov.uk/contact-us.