Reported rental fraud across England, Wales and the Crown Dependencies has fallen by 18% over three years although the average amount lost by each victim has increased sharply.
Analysis by Just Landlords found that reports declined from 4,982 during the 2023/24 financial year to 4,092 in 2025/26.
Despite fewer cases, total annual losses increased by 20% from £10.74m to £12.84m over the same period.
The average loss per report consequently rose by 46%, from £2,156 to £3,138.
DERBYSHIRE RECORDS BIGGEST FALL
The findings are based on information obtained from Action Fraud and the Metropolitan Police through Freedom of Information requests.
Derbyshire recorded the largest decline in reported cases, falling by 64% over the three-year period.
Bedfordshire followed with a 61% reduction, while reports in Wiltshire and Dyfed-Powys fell by 57%. Cleveland recorded a 53% decline and Nottinghamshire saw cases halve by 51%.
Jersey and the Isle of Man each registered a 50% fall, with Avon and Somerset and Gloucestershire both down by 49%.
However, cases increased by 19% in Warwickshire and by 16% across Devon and Cornwall.
VICTIMS LOSE £35.6M
Rental fraud caused total reported losses of £35.64m over the three financial years.
Just Landlords says the combination of fewer reports and larger losses could indicate a shift from high-volume scams towards more sophisticated deception involving fabricated listings or copied property photographs used to secure larger deposits.
“We cannot afford to be complacent.”
Clark Ross (main picture, inset), Managing Director of Just Landlords, comments: “The consistent drop in rental fraud reports over the last three years is incredibly positive news for the rental sector.
“However, the sharp rise in financial losses shows we cannot afford to be complacent. Rental fraud is a dual-victim crime; it leaves innocent tenants financially impacted while dragging down the reputation of honest, hardworking housing providers. These scammers are not real landlords; they are sophisticated identity thieves hijacking the credibility of a vital industry.
“Landlords and tenants must both treat verification as the absolute bedrock of any agreement.
“Landlords can help reduce the risk of fraud by protecting deposits through official government schemes and providing clear tenancy documentation, helping to ensure the sector continues to provide a vital service.”
