Why our new Cuckooing Resources matter and how they can help homelessness practitioners

‘Hundreds, if not thousands, of people's homes are being taken over by criminals every week in the UK, usually to store and deal drugs’ …and "horrific things" have happened to victims, who were often trapped in their own homes, The National Police Chief’s Council (NPCC), told the BBC during a recent investigation (June 26).

Cuckooing is often talked about as if it only relates to organised crime or county lines drug activity. In reality, it is far broader, more complex and more common than that. As the NPCC have said, every day, vulnerable people lose control of their homes through coercion, fear, obligation or unmet need — often without recognising what is happening to them. 

That complexity is exactly why we’ve developed a cuckooing toolkit and suite of cuckooing resources for practitioners. Together, they help support practitioners, landlords, local authorities and partners to identify cuckooing earlier, respond more effectively, and reduce long-term harm. 

Download our cuckooing toolkit

Understanding the different forms of cuckooing  

One of the biggest barriers to effective responses is the assumption that cuckooing only happens in one way. By using a narrow definition we risk missing victims, delaying intervention, and reinforcing victim blaming responses. 

In practice, we see multiple, overlapping forms of cuckooing which are not always carried out by organised criminal groups. So, it is important to recognise there are other forms. The full guide contains more detailed information, but cuckooing can also be carried out by people known to the tenant, and situations may begin with consent, then escalate into coercion and loss of control of their home. Cuckooing can occur when coercive or sexually exploitative relationships are used to gain access to and control a person’s home. Some people also experience repeat home takeover, often driven by unresolved vulnerabilities, trauma, isolation, and a lack of sustained support after rehousing.

Why these resources matter for frontline practitioners 

Practitioners often encounter cuckooing — even when it isn’t labelled that way. 

The practitioner toolkit, reference guide, case studies and templates provide: 

• Clear signs and indicators to look out for 

• Guidance on how to have safe, non‑judgemental conversations 

• Practical support for assessing risk, vulnerability and capacity 

• Clarity on when and how to make safeguarding referrals 

• Tools for advocacy and multi‑agency coordination 

These resources are grounded in practice reality, recognising that victims may mistrust services, fear consequences, or not identify themselves as victims at all. 

Download our cuckooing toolkit

Why These Resources Matter for Landlords and Housing Providers  

Landlords and housing providers are often the first to notice warning signs — complaints from neighbours, damaged doors, frequent visitors, or changes in tenant behaviour. Too often, tenants experiencing cuckooing are treated as perpetrators rather than victims.  Housing teams and landlords may view incidents as anti-social behaviour or tenancy breaches, and it may be regarded as a housing issue, rather than a safeguarding concern.  

The toolkit can help landlords and housing providers to:  

• Spot early signs of home takeover  

• Avoid responses that escalate risk, such as eviction or repeated warnings  

• Support tenancy sustainment wherever possible  

• Recognise home takeover as a safeguarding issue  

• Strengthen multi agency working and accountability  
• Inform housing, homelessness and safeguarding strategies  

A Shared Message Across All Audiences 

Cuckooing is a safeguarding issue shaped by vulnerability — not a lifestyle choice, and not a tenancy failure. 

If we recognise the different forms that cuckooing can take, challenge victim blaming cultures, and respond collaboratively at the earliest opportunity, we can: 

• Reduce harm 

• Protect tenancies 

• Improve wellbeing 

• Prevent people from being drawn back into homelessness or exploitation 

These resources are designed to support the shift from reactive enforcement to proactive prevention, compassionate and effective practice and recovery. 

Download our cuckooing toolkit