Tenancy Fraud
| Infosheet
The Lettings Hub, we know tenancy fraud is one of the most serious and fast-growing risks in the private rented sector. According to Action Fraud and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, rental scams cost UK tenants and landlords nearly £9 million in reported losses in just 12 months, with thousands of cases linked to forged documents, false identities, and criminal subletting operations.
Fraudsters are becoming increasingly sophisticated, using AI-generated documents, credible cover stories, and offering to pay rent months in advance. But in many of the most damaging cases we’ve seen, the issue wasn’t just the quality of the deception. It was that referencing checks weren’t fully completed.
In one real case, a tenant who paid up front disappeared shortly after moving in, leaving behind a fully operational cannabis farm. In another, an “international student” used fake paperwork to secure a flat, then illegally sublet it to multiple tenants under fraudulent tenancy agreements and a fictitious managing agent.
The common thread? Referencing shortcuts.
With the Renters’ Rights Bill set to deliver the most significant reform to the PRS in a generation, the cost of oversight is only increasing. Fraudsters are evolving, and so must our defences.
That’s why The Lettings Hub’s Elite Referencing, Know Your Customer verification, and industry-first ‘No-Fraud’ Guarantee are not just added value, they are essential safeguards.
Stay vigilant. Always complete the full referencing process, regardless of upfront payments or how credible an applicant may appear.
Download the full infosheet here!