Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by The Negotiator. Read the original article for full details.

Leeds Letting Agent Dismissed After Alleged Benefits Discrimination

A Leeds letting agency has dismissed an employee following the release of a secret recording in which the employee appeared to discuss filtering out prospective tenants who claim benefits. The incident was brought to light by a member of the housing campaign group ACORN Leeds, who posed as a landlord during a telephone call with the agent.

According to The Negotiator, the recording captured the Parklane Properties employee stating that applicants in full-time work would be prioritised over those on benefits. The employee was heard saying, “We’ll always present people who are in full-time work over them to be honest with you,” and also discussed filtering enquiries to “keep the best enquiries in” and “sort of swerve them a little bit if they’re on benefits.” The employee further acknowledged, “We’re technically not really allowed to do it, but we do it.”

Landlords and letting agents are prohibited from filtering out applicants solely because they receive benefits, a practice explicitly banned under the Renters’ Rights Act.

After the recording was made public, ACORN members visited Parklane Properties’ Headingley office to demand action. Parklane Properties confirmed to The Negotiator that the employee was no longer with the business, describing the comments as “completely unacceptable” and not reflective of company policy. The agency stated it does not discriminate against any individual regardless of background and said it took “swift action” once the matter was brought to its attention.

Parklane Properties also criticised the ACORN protest, stating that campaigners “stormed and occupied” its offices, which created an intimidating situation for staff and led the company to contact West Yorkshire Police.

This incident highlights the importance for letting agents and inventory clerks to adhere strictly to anti-discrimination laws, particularly regarding applicants who receive benefits, as required by the Renters’ Rights Act.