Landlords and managing agents are usually conscious of physical acts of tenants, whether it is a malicious or accidental damage issue or the tenant failing to pay their rent. Typically, these scenarios are covered by many of the cheapest landlord insurance or let insurance policies either as standard or by way of an additional premium (especially for rent guarantee).

Sharon Watts from St Just in Lands End, Cornwall put a new view on the challenges facing landlords and managing agents when she confessed to her criminal activity by supplying false documents to estate agents, including false details, references and pay slips to try to gain access to a rental property on two occasions last year.

It was recorded at Truro Crown Court last week that Between 1st April and 20th May 2013, Watts knowingly provided false information to Miller Countrywide Estate Agents, and also committed the identical offence when applying for a tenancy at Anthony Richards Property Services sometime between 1st September and 18th October last year.

Now that the authorities (including the FCA) are clamping down on fraud, bribery and corruption, the 47 year old admitted her fraudulent behaviour and has been granted conditional bail until the case adjournment date on 26th June – Judge Christopher Harvey Clark QC said:

“All [sentencing] options remain open. I do not want you to leave this building today under any illusions; these are serious matters and I am going to give no indication whatsoever as to what sentence will be.”

These referencing checks are commonplace to ensure that a tenant is legitimate and able to pay the rent to a landlord. This is especially so and is compulsory if a landlord wants to purchase Rent Guarantee or extended legal expenses insurance policies as an addition to a cheap let buildings insurance (These are not available when a tenant has already moved in and must be purchased prior – these are also not available on the cheapest empty property insurance policies)