Leeds Council Takes Action Against Tenancy Fraud

November 4, 2025 Off By

Recent court cases demonstrate council’s commitment to tackling housing fraud

Leeds City Council has recently secured a number of court rulings against tenants involved in tenancy fraud, reinforcing its firm approach to protecting council housing for genuine applicants. The council has taken civil proceedings against several tenants found to be subletting their homes or breaching tenancy agreements, resulting in possession orders and financial penalties.

Details of court actions and outcomes

Between February and June 2025, the council pursued legal action against four tenants after investigations revealed they were illegally subletting their properties. A fifth case involved breaches including non-occupation, where a tenant does not use the property as their primary residence. All these cases concluded with possession orders, enabling the council to repossess the homes and make them available to those on the housing register.

The affected properties were located in Bramley, Beeston, Middleton, and Morley. Collectively, the tenants involved were ordered to pay over £12,000 in court costs.

In a separate case at Leeds County Court in October 2025, a former tenant who had voluntarily surrendered their home in late 2023 was subject to an unlawful profit order under the Prevention of Social Housing Fraud Act 2013. This required them to repay approximately £4,000 in rent gained through illegal subletting of their Middleton property.

Types of tenancy fraud addressed

Subletting: When a tenant illegally rents out their council home to another person.
Non-occupation: When a tenant does not use the property as their main residence.
Right to Buy fraud: Attempts to acquire council property without living there.
Housing application fraud: Providing false information to secure a tenancy.

Council response and reporting information

Leeds City Council’s executive member for housing, Councillor Jess Lennox, emphasised the seriousness with which the council treats tenancy fraud. She stated that the recent legal actions send a clear message that council homes are intended for genuine tenants and that fraudulent behaviour will be met with decisive consequences.

Investigations into tenancy fraud are conducted by a dedicated team of tenancy fraud officers within the council. Members of the public who suspect tenancy fraud can report their concerns via email or telephone: