Leeds City Council has reclaimed multiple properties following a series of court cases targeting tenants found to be committing housing fraud.
The council brought separate civil proceedings against four tenants after checks revealed they were illegally subletting their homes. A fifth tenant faced action over breaches of tenancy, including non-occupation – a form of fraud where a tenant does not reside in the property as required.
All cases concluded with possession orders, allowing the council to repossess the homes and re-let them to those on its housing register. In addition, the defendants were collectively ordered to pay over £12,000 in court costs.
The properties involved were located in Bramley, Beeston, Middleton and Morley, with the cases reaching court between February and June of this year.
In a further case heard at Leeds County Court last month, a former tenant was ordered to hand over roughly £4,000 in unlawfully gained rent under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013. The individual had voluntarily surrendered the Middleton property in late 2023 after their fraudulent activity came to light.
Councillor Jess Lennox, Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, said: ‘We treat tenancy fraud as an extremely serious matter and always aim to take timely and effective action when we identify wrongdoing of this kind.
‘The recent cases are a clear signal of our ongoing determination to ensure that council housing in Leeds serves the needs of genuine tenants, rather than those who seek to exploit the system and line their own pockets.’
Going forward, the local authority has pledged to maintain strict oversight of its council housing stock to prevent misuse and ensure properties are given to those in need.
Photo: Gary Butterfield/UnSplash
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