"Knowingly committing tenancy fraud is not a victimless crime. It impacts Manchester families, communities and costs the Council millions of pounds every year"
- Gavin White - Manchester City Council
Manchester City Council launched a month-long key amnesty today, allowing tenants who illegally rent out council or housing association properties to return their keys without facing consequences.
The amnesty, running until 27 February 2026, marks the first phase of a city-wide campaign targeting tenancy fraud. This fraud constitutes a criminal offence and deprives vulnerable households of desperately needed homes, many of whom have waited years on the housing register.
Manchester maintains over 70,000 social rent homes, one of the highest proportions in the UK. However, demand remains acute. The city spends millions annually on temporary accommodation for people awaiting social rent properties.
Approximately 20,000 households currently sit on Manchester's housing register, including around 11,000 in priority need. The council estimates that 3 to 6% of its tenancies could be fraudulent, potentially removing thousands of homes from those who need them most.
The council is advancing several measures to maximise existing housing stock, including rightsizing initiatives and returning empty homes to use. These efforts complement ambitious delivery targets outlined in the 2022 housing strategy, which commits to building at least 10,000 social rent, council and genuinely affordable homes by 2032.
After the amnesty ends, an expanded team of dedicated officers will investigate potential fraud cases. Where criminal fraud is confirmed, officers will pursue prosecution. The amnesty does not apply to cases already under active investigation.
This campaign represents one of the first occasions a local authority has partnered city-wide with housing providers to address the issue. All organisations within the Manchester Housing Providers Partnership will collaborate with the council to report and investigate potential fraud cases.
Council officers have uncovered various fraudulent tenancies, including tenants securing council properties while living elsewhere and renting them at market rates, subletting rooms without permission, obtaining housing through deception, and exchanging properties without authorisation.
Details about participating in the key amnesty, reporting potential tenancy fraud concerns, or seeking help if you suspect you're a victim of social housing tenancy fraud are available here.
"We know how important good quality, safe and secure housing is to the wellbeing of Mancunians," said Gavin White, Manchester City Council's executive member for housing and development. "Good housing is a cornerstone of good health and is essential for us all to thrive. That's why most people want a housing system that is fair and one that provides support to those who need it most."
"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," he added. "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."
White explained that combining fraud prevention with rightsizing support and empty homes initiatives could significantly reduce the housing register and waiting times for residents seeking suitable homes. This builds on substantial affordable housing delivery already underway in Manchester, with 791 new affordable homes built in 2025, the most since the mid-1990s.
"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," he noted.
