Landlords lose billions as tenant fraudsters run rampant
Summary
Goodlord says fraudulent tenancy applications may be costing the UK private rented sector up to £4.1 billion a year, with suspected fraud rising despite a slight recent easing from peak levels. The article highlights increasingly sophisticated AI-enabled fake documents and identities, with London identified as a hotspot in confirmed cases.
Why it matters
Surveyors involved in rental valuations, portfolio advice, or due diligence should be aware that tenant referencing risk is increasing and may affect income stability, voids and property condition. The trend also reinforces the need for robust verification processes where surveyors advise landlords, agents or lenders on residential rental assets.
Key points
- Goodlord estimates average direct exposure from a fraudulent tenancy at £9,601.
- Suspected fraud was flagged in 41 tenancy applications per 1,000 references between July 2025 and June 2026.
- The analysis suggests up to £4.1 billion in annual direct losses across the private rented sector.
- Fraudsters are reportedly using AI-generated payslips, references and full fake identities.
- London emerged as a hotspot in confirmed fraud cases.
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