A Leeds-based letting agency has terminated an employee following the emergence of a recording in which the staff member appears to discuss filtering out prospective tenants who claim benefits.
The recording was obtained by housing campaign group ACORN Leeds, with a member posing as a landlord during a telephone conversation with a Parklane Properties employee, according to Leeds Live.
In the conversation, when asked about applicants receiving benefits, the employee stated: “We’ll always present people who are in full-time work over them to be honest with you.”
The employee continued: “I could filter the enquiries, essentially. Filter out the dross, then keep the best enquiries in, sort of swerve them a little bit if they’re on benefits, basically. We’d only book in the professionals. We’re technically not really allowed to do it, but we do it.”
Legal implications under new legislation
The practice of filtering out applicants solely because they receive benefits is now explicitly prohibited under the Renters’ Rights Act. The legislation represents part of broader regulatory changes affecting the rental sector, following measures including ground rent cap reforms and increased scrutiny of industry practices such as comparative advertising standards.
Following publication of the recording, ACORN members attended Parklane’s Headingley office to demand action from the company.
Company response and dismissal
Parklane Properties confirmed the employee was no longer with the business and stated the comments were “completely unacceptable” and did not reflect company policy.
The agency said: “Parklane Properties sincerely regrets this isolated incident involving the personal prejudice of one employee who is no longer with the business.”
The company stated it does not discriminate against any individual regardless of their background and took “swift action” once the matter was brought to its attention.
Parklane also criticised ACORN’s protest, alleging campaigners had “stormed and occupied” its offices, creating an intimidating situation for staff. The company reported the incident to West Yorkshire Police.
Market context
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the rental market, where landlords and agents face increasing regulatory requirements while managing property portfolios. Affordability pressures continue to affect both tenants and landlords, with mortgage affordability reaching its tightest level since 2008, potentially impacting rental supply dynamics.
The case underscores the compliance challenges facing letting agencies as the regulatory framework governing tenant selection continues to evolve.
