Cuckooing: Could Criminals Be Taking Control of Your Tenant’s Home?

A sudden stream of visitors. Unfamiliar people appearing to live at the property. A tenant who seems anxious, withdrawn or increasingly difficult to contact.

Individually, these things may have an innocent explanation. Together, however, they could indicate something much more serious – cuckooing.

Our recent articles have looked at rental properties being used for cannabis production and illegal brothels. Cuckooing is different because the tenant may not be involved willingly. They may be the victim.

What is cuckooing?

Cuckooing happens when criminals take control of someone’s home and use it as a base for illegal activity.

The property may be used for:

• Dealing or storing drugs

• Storing weapons

• Sexual exploitation

• Housing people involved in criminal activity

• Other forms of organised crime

Criminals often target people they believe will be easier to manipulate or intimidate. This can include older people, those who are socially isolated, people experiencing financial difficulty and tenants with mental health conditions, disabilities or drug and alcohol dependencies.

The perpetrators may initially offer friendship, money, drugs or practical help. Once they have gained access to the home, that relationship can change. Intimidation, coercion and violence may then be used to take control.

The tenant may be a victim

Landlords should avoid immediately assuming that the tenant has willingly allowed criminal activity into the property.

Someone experiencing cuckooing may be frightened, controlled or unable to ask for help. They may still describe the perpetrator as a friend or partner, despite being exploited.

Their behaviour might appear uncooperative, but fear may be preventing them from speaking freely.

This is why concerns need to be approached carefully. Protecting the tenant and reporting suspected criminal activity should come before decisions about tenancy enforcement.

Warning signs landlords should recognise

Possible signs of cuckooing include:

• A noticeable increase in visitors, particularly at unusual hours

• Cars, bikes or taxis arriving frequently for short visits

• Unfamiliar people appearing to stay at or control the property

• The tenant becoming difficult to contact

• Changes in the tenant’s mood, appearance or usual routine

• The tenant appearing frightened, anxious or withdrawn

• Increased noise, litter or antisocial behaviour

• Damage to the property or communal areas

• Complaints from neighbours

• Drug-related items or other suspicious objects being visible during an inspection

One sign alone doesn’t prove that cuckooing is taking place. Landlords should record factual observations and avoid making accusations without evidence.

Why regular contact matters

A landlord who maintains appropriate contact with their tenant is more likely to notice when something changes.

Properly arranged inspections can help identify property damage, additional occupants and concerns about the tenant’s welfare. Just as importantly, calm and respectful communication may give a vulnerable tenant an opportunity to ask for help.

Inspections should always follow the tenancy terms and legal access requirements. A suspected problem doesn’t give a landlord an automatic right to enter the property without permission.

What should a landlord do?

If you suspect cuckooing:

1. Don’t confront the suspected perpetrators. This could put you, the tenant or neighbours at greater risk.

2. Record what you have observed. Keep clear notes of dates, incidents, contact attempts, inspection findings and relevant reports from neighbours.

3. Contact the tenant carefully. Where it is safe and appropriate, try to speak to them privately and focus on their welfare rather than making accusations.

4. Report immediate danger. Call 999 if someone is in immediate danger, violence is being used or threatened, or a crime is taking place.

5. Report non-emergency concerns. Contact the police online or through 101. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crimestoppers.

6. Raise safeguarding concerns. If the tenant may have care and support needs, contact the local authority’s Adult Social Care safeguarding team. Concerns involving a child should be reported through the appropriate child safeguarding route.

7. Take legal advice before starting tenancy action. A poorly handled possession attempt could place the tenant at greater risk, interfere with an investigation or create problems for the landlord.

A new cuckooing offence

The Crime and Policing Act 2026 introduces a specific offence of controlling another person’s home for criminal purposes without their consent.

Importantly, consent may not be considered freely given where it results from coercion, deception or abusive behaviour.

Once commenced, the offence will carry a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a fine or both. At the time of writing, the cuckooing provisions have been passed into law but are awaiting commencement and supporting government guidance.

This legal change recognises an important point: the person living in the property may be experiencing exploitation rather than willingly participating in criminal activity.

Why Legal Protection matters

Cases involving criminal activity, safeguarding concerns and possession proceedings can become complicated very quickly.

This is one of the reasons our Lettings PA Protect service includes Legal Protection. If a serious tenancy problem develops into a covered dispute or requires legal action, the landlord can access specialist support and assistance with eligible legal costs, subject to the policy terms and conditions.

Legal Protection doesn’t replace the police or safeguarding services, and cover will always depend on the circumstances and policy requirements. It does, however, mean the landlord doesn’t have to face a difficult legal situation entirely alone.

Protecting your tenant and your property

Cuckooing demonstrates why property management is about more than collecting rent and completing compliance checks.

Regular communication, properly documented inspections and knowing how to respond when something doesn’t look right can help protect the tenant, the property and the wider community.

Stay observant, keep accurate records and don’t ignore a significant change in the way a property is being occupied. If you’re concerned, seek professional advice early and allow the appropriate authorities to investigate.

At Personal Economy Lettings, we help landlords remain confidently in control while providing practical compliance support and protection when it’s needed.

Property is the answer, now what’s your question?

This article is for general information only and doesn’t constitute legal advice. Insurance and Legal Protection cover remain subject to eligibility, policy terms, conditions and exclusions.

Further information:
Crime and Policing Act 2026 cuckooing factsheet – GOV.UK
Cuckooing warning signs and reporting guidance – Metropolitan Police
Current commencement position – UK Parliament