Fraud investigation results in return of family home

A successful city council housing tenancy fraud investigation has resulted in a three bedroom house being able to be re-let to a new family on the council’s housing waiting list.

Information was received about a property in Sturry where a mutual exchange had taken place. The previous tenant moved out, but the incoming named tenant, who was moving from a housing association property in the district, did not move in.

Instead, investigations revealed that the named tenant’s granddaughter was occupying the home without tenancy rights and also allegedly running a business from the address.

An interview under caution was conducted and the granddaughter indicated she would return the keys.

A ‘notice to quit’ was served on the named tenant, which expired on 22 February this year, but upon its expiration, further checks showed that occupation by the granddaughter was continuing and the case was progressed for legal action based on trespass.

Subsequent contact from the granddaughter stated that she had vacated the house by 10 April this year, and council officers began the process of regaining possession, changing the locks and starting the void process to prepare the home for a new family to move into.

Under the council’s policies, both the named tenant and the granddaughter are now disqualified from accessing council housing in the future.

The named tenant is believed to be living with family, while the granddaughter has bought her own home locally.

Cabinet member for housing, Cllr Pip Hazelton, said: “Council housing is a precious commodity and when people take up residency when they have no right to do so, we will clamp down on it.

“Tenancy fraud of this type denies a home to local people and families who desperately need a safe and secure place to call their own.

“We’ve had an excellent outcome in this case and I thank the council officers who have worked hard to achieve it. We hope the new tenants of the property go on to have a long and happy tenancy when they move into their home in the near future.”

Canterbury City Council works with Ashford Borough Council to investigate housing tenancy fraud in the district and encourages reports of possible fraud via its website.

Examples of tenancy fraud can include:

• Somebody living in a council house but who has another home the council does not know about
• Somebody has given false information in their housing or homeless application
• A person renting out all or part of the property without permission

Reports are dealt with in confidence.

Cllr Hazelton added: “We have more than 5,000 homes in our housing stock and we can’t possibly know what’s going on in each and every one of them.

“That’s why we strongly encourage people to come forward with information so that if fraud is happening, we can put a stop to it. The eyes and ears of the public are very much appreciated on these important matters.”

Published: 18 May 2026