Cornwall Council’s amnesty giving anyone illegally subletting or not living in their council homes the chance to hand back their keys has already led to 69 calls to a dedicated fraud hotline and to the recovery of two properties.

Jane Barlow, managing director of Cornwall Housing said: “We know that the overwhelming majority of residents live in their homes legally and that they share our commitment to tackling tenancy fraud and I would encourage anyone who suspects someone of committing tenancy fraud to get in touch.”

Joyce Duffin, Cornwall Council cabinet member for housing and environment, said that it cost an average of £18,000 a year to house a family in temporary accommodation.

She added: “There is huge pressure on the supply of social housing making it imperative that the housing we do have available goes to people in genuine need of help.”

Cornwall Council’s corporate fraud team and Cornwall Housing have been working together since last August to tackle tenancy fraud.

The amnesty runs until the end of the month and keys can be handed into the council’s corporate fraud team, local housing officer or housing office.

Residents wishing to report someone who may be illegally subletting or is not living in their home, can do so in complete confidence by calling the council’s dedicated fraud hotline on 0800 7316125 or emailing the council at tenancyfraud@cornwall.gov.uk.

Further information can be found at www.cornwall.gov.uk/keyamnesty.