Key Return Initiative and Tenancy Fraud Awareness Campaign
Key Return Initiative
The campaign aims to raise awareness of the different types of tenancy and housing application fraud, the impact fraud has on housing services, and the action the council may take when fraud is identified.
We operate the Key Return Initiative between mid November and early January every year. It gives applicants and tenants the opportunity to;
Return the keys for a council property they are no longer using as their principal home.
Return the keys for a council property obtained using false or misleading information.
Cancel a housing application containing false, inaccurate or misleading information.
Withdraw a homelessness application made using false or misleading information or evidence.
Keys can be returned anonymously to Housing Offices, please ensure you provide the address of the relevant tenancy:
Armadale/Bathgate: Jim Walker Partnership Centre
Whitburn: Whitburn Partnership Centre
Breich Valley: 1 Library House, Harburn Road
Livingston: West Lothian Civic Centre
Broxburn: Strathbrock Partnership Centre.
For more information about the Key Return Initiative, please contact us on 01506 280000 or email tenancyfraud@westlothian.gov.uk
Tenancy Fraud
Tenancy fraud deprives households in genuine need of access to affordable housing. It can also result in significant costs to the council, including temporary accommodation costs, legal expenses, investigation costs, property repairs, re letting costs and lost rental income.
We work closely with the Audit, Risk and Counter Fraud Unit to report, and assist in the investigation of Tenancy Fraud. If you suspect a tenant is committing fraud, you should speak to your manager and contact the Audit, Risk and Counter Fraud Unit.
From April 2026 to date the team have received 24 tenancy fraud referrals. These include non-residency, living elsewhere, subletting, false succession, and false homeless application investigations.
Nine investigations are still in progress.
Thirteen cases were closed, no fraud established.
Two were fraud established due to non-residency (one was sublet) and both keys were handed back.
From last year's investigations (2025) ten were carried forward for investigation into 2026. (Not included in the above totals). The Council recovered six properties from the ten with non-residency, illegal sublet and false succession. Therefore, overall, this year to date, we have had eight properties returned.
Examples of Tenancy Fraud
Reports of suspected tenancy fraud will normally be assessed by the relevant Housing Officer in the first instance. Where appropriate, the matter may then be referred to the Counter Fraud Team for further investigation. If you suspect tenancy fraud, please report this through Contact Us. Make sure you include as much information as you can.
A tenant with a Scottish Secure Tenancy must occupy the property as their principal home.
Non-use as a principal home may occur where a tenant claims to live in their council property but is actually living permanently elsewhere. It may also involve the property being left empty, used only occasionally, unlawfully sublet, or occupied by someone who is not entitled to live there.
Providing false information to obtain a council tenancy is a serious matter.
A false statement can include:
giving an incorrect address or housing history;
failing to disclose ownership of another property;
failing to disclose another tenancy or principal home;
providing false information about household members;
exaggerating housing needs or personal circumstances;
using false documents or evidence; or
deliberately withholding information that would have affected the housing decision.
If the tenancy would not have been granted had the correct information been known, the council may consider taking legal action to recover the property. The council may also consider recovering losses resulting from the false information and referring suspected criminal conduct to the relevant authorities.
A Scottish Secure Tenant must obtain the landlord's written permission before subletting all or part of the property.
Illegal subletting occurs when a tenant allows another person to occupy all or part of the property as a subtenant without the council's permission. This may involve the tenant living elsewhere and receiving rent or another form of payment from the person occupying the council property
False succession occurs when someone claims to be entitled to take over a tenancy following the tenant's death when they do not meet the legal requirements.
This can include falsely claiming to have lived in the property as their only or principal home for the required period.
Housing application fraud occurs when an applicant provides false or misleading information, exaggerates their circumstances, or deliberately withholds relevant information to obtain social housing or increase their housing priority.
Examples include:
failing to disclose ownership of a property;
failing to disclose another tenancy;
providing false information about household members;
using a false identity or address;
providing an inaccurate housing history; or
exaggerating housing need, overcrowding or medical circumstances.
A false homelessness application occurs when an applicant knowingly provides false, inaccurate or misleading information when applying for homelessness assistance.
Examples include:
Misrepresenting a housing situation: Claiming to have no accommodation or to be at immediate risk of losing accommodation when suitable housing remains available.
Providing inaccurate personal information: Giving false information about identity, household composition, residence or financial circumstances.
Concealing property ownership or another tenancy: Failing to disclose ownership of a property, access to another home or an existing tenancy.
Providing false evidence: Submitting altered, fabricated or misleading documents in support of an application.
Misrepresenting risk or vulnerability: Providing false information about circumstances to obtain housing assistance or priority.
Each homelessness application is considered on its individual circumstances. Genuine applicants should not be discouraged from seeking assistance, and anyone experiencing or at risk of homelessness should contact the council as soon as possible.
