How to Gather Proof of Cohabitation in the UK
September 24, 2023 - Reading time: 8 minutes
Updated on: September 4, 2025
Most people are open and honest about their living situations. Sometimes, though, the truth gets bent for personal or financial gain. Typical problem areas include unlawful subletting, tenancy fraud, or someone misrepresenting where they live to affect maintenance, benefits, or council support.
False claims can harm private landlords, small businesses, and local authorities. If you need proof of cohabitation in the UK, the key is lawful, clear evidence collected over time so a court or decision maker can rely on it.
Why Proof of Cohabitation is Necessary
People seek cohabitation evidence for different reasons. Common scenarios include:
- Landlords who suspect unlawful subletting or unauthorised occupants.
- Local authority or DWP investigators reviewing suspected Housing Benefit or Council Tax Support fraud.
- Ex-partners questioning living arrangements that could affect spousal maintenance or child maintenance.
- Solicitors who need cohabitation evidence for family court or divorce proceedings.
Misrepresentation of cohabitation is common in fraud cases. Government figures suggest benefit fraud costs taxpayers around £2 billion a year, and unlawful subletting of social housing is also treated as a criminal offence.
What Counts as Cohabitation?
Citizens Advice defines cohabitation as two people living together as a couple in a relationship equivalent to marriage. Cohabiting families in the UK have grown from 1.5 million in the mid-1990s to more than 3.3 million today, making it the fastest growing family type.
Not all cohabitation is fraudulent, but people may hide or misstate living arrangements to gain financially. Landlords also face cohabitation issues where tenants sublet without consent.
Requirements from the Courts
If you intend to rely on cohabitation evidence in court, you need credible proof. This usually means a detailed cohabitation report supported by photographic and video surveillance, ideally collected over two to three weeks. Courts prefer continuous monitoring rather than isolated snapshots.
Evidence Types
Useful evidence can include:
- Logs of activity in and out of a property
- Time-stamped photos and video footage showing occupants
- Consistent presence of personal vehicles
- Utility records, deliveries, or mail linking people to an address
Courts expect clarity. Smartphone images can be acceptable but high-resolution cameras and telephoto lenses provide stronger, more reliable evidence.
Records and Checks
Alongside surveillance, checks such as electoral roll searches, Land Registry entries, Companies House records, or OSINT research may support your claim. These help establish whether someone is genuinely living where they say they are.
Using a Private Investigator
Hiring a private investigator for cohabitation surveillance gives you:
- Access to professional cameras, telephoto lenses, and covert recording equipment
- Experience in gathering evidence lawfully and discreetly
- Insurance, ICO registration, and compliance with privacy rules
- Ability to prepare detailed reports accepted by solicitors and courts
Private investigators can save you time, provide impartial evidence, and raise the chance your case is taken seriously.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is proof of cohabitation?
Proof can include surveillance logs, photographs, video, and supporting records like utility bills or mail. The evidence should show consistent, ongoing residence.
How long should surveillance last?
Usually two to three weeks, to show an ongoing living arrangement rather than isolated visits.
Can proof of cohabitation be used in court?
Yes, if it is clear, continuous, and collected lawfully. Courts often rely on professional cohabitation reports from investigators.
Is unlawful subletting a crime?
Yes. In both social housing and private tenancies, unlawful subletting can amount to tenancy fraud and can be prosecuted.
How Moonlighting Affects Your Business & What You Can Do
September 17, 2023 - Reading time: 11 minutes
Updated on: September 4, 2025
In today’s economy, it’s increasingly common for employees to take on second jobs - weekend shifts, freelance gigs, or online side hustles. While moonlighting can help workers manage the cost of living, it can also create real risks for employers.
If a second job affects performance, creates a conflict of interest, or breaches your company policies, you need to address it carefully. This guide explains what moonlighting is, how to spot the warning signs, and practical steps you can take - including when to bring in a private investigator.
What Is Moonlighting?
Moonlighting means holding a second job outside someone’s main employment. It is not automatically unlawful, but it becomes a problem when any of the following apply:
- Performance in the primary job is slipping
- Company policies or contract terms are breached
- There is a conflict of interest - for example, working for a competitor or servicing your clients on the side
- Company time, data, or equipment are being misused for secondary work
Some employees manage extra work without issues. Problems arise when it is hidden, unmanaged, or begins to impact your business.
Common Signs an Employee Is Moonlighting
Moonlighting can be subtle. Typical red flags include:
- Frequent lateness, early finishes, or unexplained absences
- Unusual fatigue, low focus, falling productivity, or missed deadlines
- Excessive sick leave or short-notice time off requests around the same days
- Using company devices or networks for non-work activity
- Other staff raising concerns about unfair workloads
These patterns do not prove moonlighting on their own - personal issues or burnout may also be in play. Treat them as prompts to look closer.
What’s the Impact on Your Business?
- Lower performance - tired or distracted staff rarely meet expectations
- Team morale - resentment builds if others pick up the slack
- Conflicts of interest - side work for competitors or your clients undercuts your business
- Data and confidentiality risks - information can leak, even accidentally
- Health and safety - fatigue can raise accident risk and breach working time limits
Left alone, these issues can harm customer experience, increase turnover, and damage your reputation.
Set a Clear Moonlighting Policy
A clear, written policy helps you manage secondary employment fairly. Useful points to include:
- Disclosure - staff must tell you about any second job or freelance work
- Approval - set a simple request-and-approval process with reasonable criteria
- Working time - remind staff to stay within legal hours and take proper rest
- Conflicts of interest - define competing work and client poaching
- Confidentiality and data - ban using your data, kit, or brand for side jobs
- Use of company time - no secondary work during contracted hours
- Consequences - link breaches to your disciplinary procedure
Share the policy, obtain acknowledgement, and apply it consistently to avoid claims of unfair treatment.
How to Investigate Fairly
If you suspect moonlighting, follow a fair and proportionate process:
- Document concerns - dates, times, missed deadlines, team feedback
- Secure data properly - preserve timesheets, network logs, rota info, and relevant emails
- Invite the employee to an initial meeting - outline concerns and hear their explanation
- Check conflicts - look for links to competitors or your clients
- Assess risk - performance, confidentiality, and health and safety
- Decide on next steps - improvement plan, formal investigation, or no action
If you need external fact-finding, consider discreet help rather than confronting without evidence.
Why and When to Use a Private Investigator
Confronting an employee without evidence is risky. A discreet investigation can confirm facts while protecting the working relationship. At Private Investigators UK we support HR and legal teams with:
- Covert surveillance to verify working patterns
- Social media and online activity review
- Employment and income verification checks
- Background checks and discreet enquiries
Our goal is to provide clear, tribunal-ready evidence so you can act confidently. If nothing is found, the matter stays confidential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is moonlighting illegal in the UK?
Not by itself. Issues arise if it breaches contract terms, company policy, working time limits, or confidentiality duties, or if it creates a conflict of interest.
Can we ban second jobs completely?
You can set rules and require disclosure and approval. A blanket ban may be hard to justify. Clear criteria and a fair approval process are safer.
Can we dismiss someone for moonlighting?
Potentially, if there is serious misconduct such as dishonesty, conflict of interest, or misuse of company time or data. Follow a fair process and take advice before disciplinary action.
Do we need consent to check social media?
Public posts can be reviewed. For workplace devices or personal data, follow your policies and data protection rules and be proportionate.
When should we use a private investigator?
When you need discreet, lawful fact finding to verify patterns, confirm conflicts, or gather evidence without escalating tensions.
Take Action Without Taking Risks
Moonlighting is not always a problem, but if it affects performance, creates a conflict, or breaches trust, it is worth addressing. Do not let suspicion linger or jump to conclusions without facts.
To speak in confidence and get a free, no obligation quote, visit our contact page. We will help you assess the situation and plan next steps with discretion and professionalism.
7 Signs Your House Is Bugged – Covert Surveillance Explained
September 16, 2023 - Reading time: 17 minutes
Updated on: October 7, 2025
Hidden cameras and microphones are easier than ever to conceal. If you feel someone could be monitoring you at home, you might be right. Consumer tech is cheap and powerful, and professional kits are hard to spot. Below are the key signs to look for, safe checks you can do, and when to bring in a professional bug sweep.
Quick Navigation
- 1. Physical tampering or entry
- 2. Odd device behaviour
- 3. Radio, TV, or monitor interference
- 4. Pets acting strangely
- 5. People know private details
- 6. Nearby surveillance activity
- 7. Evidence of intrusion indoors
- What do hidden microphones look like?
- DIY checks vs professional sweep
- Legal notes in the UK
- What to do if concerned
- Book a professional bug sweep
- FAQs
- Related articles
1. Physical Tampering or Evidence of Entry
- Locks or doors disturbed — scratches round cylinders, tighter or looser closing, doors left ajar.
- Outlets or fittings altered — loose faceplates, moved furniture, ceiling tiles out of line.
- Random new objects — air fresheners, USB chargers, plug-in sensors, fake smoke alarms, ornaments that appeared without explanation.
2. Unusual Device Behaviour
- Phones heating up or draining when idle, unexplained background noise on calls.
- Wi-Fi or signal black spots in the same area of the house, especially near sockets or vents.
- Lights flicker or breakers trip after a “new” device appeared.
3. Radio, TV, or Baby Monitor Interference
Clicking, buzzing, or bursty static near walls or sockets can indicate a transmitter. Analogue baby monitors sometimes pick up overlapping audio from cheap wireless bugs or IP cameras on 2.4 GHz.
4. Pets Acting Strangely
Dogs or cats fixating on one corner, or avoiding a room entirely, can hint at ultrasonic noise or RF emissions the human ear misses. Treat this as a signal to search, not proof on its own.
5. People Know Things They Shouldn’t
If private conversations or plans leak repeatedly, assume your environment might be compromised. Capture dates and details in a log so patterns emerge during a sweep.
6. Frequent Nearby Surveillance Activity
- Unfamiliar vehicles lingering with line of sight to your property.
- Unsolicited “service” visits, meter checks, or tradespeople without an appointment.
7. Evidence of Intrusion or Misplaced Items
Open drawers, moved documents, or small items out of position can indicate a covert entry to plant or service a device. Photograph what you find before moving it.
What Do Hidden Microphones Look Like?
Most covert mics are small black modules with a pin-hole mic and battery, often paired with a cheap Wi-Fi or GSM board to transmit audio. You rarely see the mic itself — it is inside something else:
- Everyday housings — USB chargers, multi-plugs, smoke alarms, speakers, clock radios, PIR sensors, air fresheners, power banks, extension leads.
- Custom placements — behind skirting, inside light fittings, under desks, within picture frames or plant pots.
- Vehicle bugs — under seats, in dashboards, or powered from OBD ports. GPS trackers are often magnet-mounted under a car chassis.
Well-placed devices are not visible without disassembly. Professional implants may be hard-wired to power and tucked within voids, so consumer bug detectors won’t always find them.
DIY Checks vs Professional Bug Sweep
DIY checks you can try safely:
- Lens scan in the dark with a torch held at eye level. Look for pinpoint reflections on shelves, vents, and ornaments.
- Router and network audit — log in to your router, rename the Wi-Fi, change passwords, and review connected devices for unknown names. Power-cycle all smart devices and the router.
- Socket and object audit — list anything “new”. Unplug and weigh plug-in objects that feel unusually heavy for their size.
- Phone and laptop hygiene — update OS, remove unknown apps or profiles, revoke risky permissions.
- Unknown tracker alerts — on iOS and Android, enable alerts for unknown Bluetooth trackers that move with you.
Limits of DIY: cheap RF detectors struggle with modern frequency-hopping or dormant devices. Hard-wired mics without active transmission will not show on a basic sweep. That is where a professional TSCM sweep is recommended.
Think you’re being watched? Take control today
Professional Bug Sweep (TSCM) - UK-wide, discreet, effective
- We find and remove hidden microphones, cameras, GPS trackers and covert Wi-Fi devices.
- Toolkit includes RF spectrum analysis, near-field probes, lens detection and meticulous physical inspection.
- Free & confidential quote: send your postcode and property size — no obligation.
Legal Notes in the UK
- Recording in your own home is generally lawful for personal reasons, but misuse of recordings can breach harassment, communications, or privacy laws.
- Landlords cannot place devices in rented properties for monitoring tenants.
- Tampering with suspected devices could damage evidence. Photograph and log first, then seek advice.
For complex cases or safety concerns, consider reporting to police. Otherwise, engage a professional team to preserve evidence correctly.
Concerned? Here’s What To Do
- Do not discuss suspicions at home. Step outside or use a device away from the property.
- Keep a log of dates, times, and odd events. Photograph anything out of place.
- Avoid ripping things apart — you could alert the person or destroy useful evidence.
- Arrange a professional sweep for your home, office, and vehicles if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if my house is bugged in the UK?
Look for a pattern: disturbed fittings, odd Wi-Fi devices, interference, and private details leaking. Do simple checks, then book a professional sweep for confirmation.
Are cheap bug detectors worth it?
They can find basic transmitters but often miss dormant, wired, or frequency-hopping devices. Treat them as a first pass, not a clean bill of health.
How much does a bug sweep cost in the UK?
Costs vary by size and complexity. Flats can be a few hundred pounds, large homes or multi-site sweeps more. Ask for a free quote with property size and location.
Can my landlord put cameras or mics in my rental?
No. Landlords cannot monitor tenants inside a rented property. If you have evidence, seek legal advice or speak to police.
What about my car?
Trackers and mics can be hidden in vehicles. Ask for a combined home and vehicle sweep if you suspect stalking or corporate espionage.
Related Articles
Can Private Investigators Hack Phones or Social Media?
May 29, 2023 - Reading time: 13 minutes
Updated on: September 3, 2025
As leading private investigators in the UK, we are often asked if we can access someone’s private communications to confirm suspicions of infidelity. People want the truth, but hacking is not the answer and will put you at legal risk.
Quick navigation
Can a Private Investigator Hack a Phone or Account?
No. Private investigators cannot legally hack phones, social media accounts, emails, or messenger apps. Accessing someone’s device or account without consent breaches criminal and civil law in the UK. It also risks contaminating your case if you later need to rely on evidence.
Please do not contact us requesting hacking services. We do not offer or support anything illegal.
Why You Should Avoid So-Called Phone Hacking Services
We regularly hear from people who were scammed after paying so-called ethical hackers who promised access to WhatsApp, Instagram, or call logs. In every case, the operator was fraudulent or operating illegally. Typical signs include pressure to pay by crypto or gift cards, repeated upsells, and refusal to provide a registered UK business address.
- If a site claims live access to private chats, it is either a scam or a crime.
- Using hacked data could expose you to criminal liability and damage any legal claim.
Can Private Investigators Trace Phone Numbers?
Tracing a phone number is a separate, legitimate service. In some cases we can attribute a number to a name, address, or likely user using lawful open sources and investigative techniques. This is useful to identify unknown callers or to support a wider investigation.
Important: we do not access phone records or intercept communications. All work is based on lawful sources and consent where required.
How Do Private Investigators Catch Cheaters Legally?
There are effective, lawful routes that protect your position if you later need to take action.
- Personal surveillance to document meetings, timings, and movements discreetly.
- GPS intelligence where lawful and proportionate to target surveillance windows more efficiently.
- OSINT checks to uncover public dating profiles, alternate identities, and timeline conflicts.
- Facial recognition background checks across public sources to identify adult content links or alias use where lawful.
Our surveillance services are discreet and lawful, and produce evidence that is far more defensible than anything obtained by hacking.
The UK Phone Hacking Scandal
The News of the World case showed how serious unlawful interception is. A private investigator and senior editor were convicted for voicemail interception, with custodial sentences imposed. The message is clear. No reputable UK PI should offer or attempt hacking.
Are You the Victim of Electronic Surveillance?
If you suspect your phone or accounts are compromised, take immediate steps:
- Change passwords and enable two factor authentication on all services.
- Review account login history and revoke unknown sessions.
- Back up then factory reset devices you believe contain spyware.
Those willing to install software may also plant physical bugs such as hidden microphones or cameras. Consider a professional sweep if you have repeated warning signs.
We Offer Bug Sweeping Services Across the UK
Our bug sweep service uses specialist equipment to detect hidden microphones, cameras, and trackers in homes, offices, and vehicles. All inquiries are confidential. Contact an experienced detective for a free quote.
Anyone offering to hack a phone or social media is putting you at risk. If you have already paid a scammer, gather receipts and messages and report the fraud to your bank and Action Fraud. We can still help you plan a lawful investigation.
Common Myths and Realities
- Myth: A PI can read WhatsApp if you give them a number. Reality: Impossible without consent or unlawful access.
- Myth: Deleted messages can be pulled remotely. Reality: Remote extraction without consent is unlawful. Device owner cooperation is required for any forensic work.
- Myth: Everyone is doing it quietly. Reality: Those who try are committing offences and risk prison. Courts also reject unlawfully obtained evidence.
We plan lawful, discreet investigations that get usable results. Request a free, no obligation quote with dates, locations, and objectives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal if I know my partner’s passcode?
Using someone else’s device or account without clear consent can still be unlawful and will usually harm your position. Speak to us for safer options.
Can you get phone records from a network?
No. Networks will not release call or message content to private parties. We do not request or obtain private telecoms data.
Will a court accept hacked screenshots?
Unlawfully obtained material can be excluded and may expose you to criminal or civil claims. Use lawful evidence that can stand up to scrutiny.
What should I do first if I suspect cheating?
Stop self-investigating on their devices. Keep a private log of times, places, and patterns. Ask us to design a lawful plan that fits your budget.
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