Section 166A(6)(b) of the 1996 Act enables housing authorities to allocate particular accommodation to people of a particular description, whether or not they fall within the reasonable preference categories, provided that overall the authority is able to demonstrate compliance with the requirements of s.166A(3). This is the statutory basis for so-called ‘local lettings policies’ which may be used to achieve a wide variety of housing management and policy objectives.
1. Introduction
1.1 Leeds City Council (LCC) allocates council homes according to the lettings policy. The Lettings Policy outlines how applicants are given preference for homes and that homes are allocated to those customers in greatest housing need.
1.2 In addition to the lettings policy the council may also operate local lettings policies (LLPs) in certain areas or property types which have additional lettings criteria. This policy explains the process for approving and operating local lettings policies.
2. Aims and objectives
- To provide a framework for how LCC develops, approves and implements local lettings policies.
- To ensure that LLPs are evidence based and compliant with equality legislation.
- To provide transparency of local lettings policies.
3. Legislative context
3.1 The Housing Act 1996 enables housing authorities to use local lettings policies to achieve a wide variety of housing management and policy objectives.
3.2 The ministry of housing communities and local government’s Allocation of Accommodation. Guidance for local housing authorities in England states:
3.3 The policy supports the standards set out in the Social Housing Regulation Act 2023:
- Transparency, Influence and Accountability Standard
- neighbourhood and community standards
- Tenancy Standard
- Public Sector Equality Duty has been considered in writing this policy
4. Strategic context
4.1 The following have been taken into consideration in developing the policy:
- Best City Ambition - working with housing providers, landlords, tenants and communities to provide more affordable and better quality housing, so everyone can have a home which supports good health, wellbeing and educational outcomes
- Leeds housing strategy - meeting affordable housing need, reducing homelessness and rough sleeping, thriving and inclusive communities, improving health through housing and child and age friendly housing
5. What is in scope
5.1 Local lettings policies give preference for offers of accommodation to specific groups outside of the reasonable preference categories in order to achieve a housing management or policy objective.
5.2 This policy applies to Leeds City Council and BITMO managed homes.
5.3 Bungalows and retirement life homes will not be considered for LLPs, as they are let by the criteria specified in the lettings policy.
5.4 Housing managers may submit a request for defined properties to be considered for a local lettings policy where there is a management issue or objective that can be resolved through a LLP. LLPs will be approved for a limited period, not exceeding 3 years.
5.5 Where no suitable applicant in priority band A or B meets the criteria, each LLP will specify whether applicants will be considered from Band C or applicants outside of the specified criteria with a housing need will be considered.
5.6 Review or removal of LLPs can be requested where analysis of data indicates that the LLP is no longer needed or it is a barrier to housing for some customer groups, including those in the highest housing need.
5.7 Local lettings policies may be suspended in emergency situations, for example but not limited to, widespread flooding, extreme housing pressures or a pandemic.
6. Resident engagement
6.1 In developing this policy we consulted customers between 16 April and 14 May 2025 using an online survey on the Leeds homes website and direct messaging of tenants in LLP areas.
6.2 There were 850 respondents to the survey who were generally supportive of the vision and proposals for different LLP types.
6.3 Local area based consultation will take place as part of each local lettings policy review.
6.4 The consultation was completed via a targeted online survey with 250 respondents and a sample of in depth discussions.
7. Communication of the policy
7.1 This policy will be available online and available to print at community hubs.
8. Approval process
8.1 Development
8.1.1 Local lettings policies must meet one of the following criteria:
- support local communities in areas of high demand and low turnover
- support balanced, safe sustainable communities
- provide time limited support for a localised need, in conjunction with other measures
- support the allocation of new build homes
The following LLPs will be considered where it is appropriate and proportionate:
8.2 Over 55 age LLP
8.2.1 In areas with limited retirement life housing or where many existing residents are over 55, an age preference LLP may be used where the current tenants ages and property type make the properties better suited for this age group. An over 55 policy would only be supported where there is alternative council housing provision available to younger residents within the local area. Where there is adequate alternative provision already in the area for over 55’s, such as retirement life properties, then it is unlikely an additional over 55 LLP will be approved unless the property type makes them particularly suitable for the over 55s.
8.2.2 There are currently a number of other age LLPs in existence for a range of different age preferences. A review of all these policies will be undertaken during 2025 with a view to removing most of these LLPs and allocating in accordance with the main lettings policy. The review will be carried out applying the criteria in this policy document.
8.2.3 In some rare cases consideration may be given to a different type of LLP, for example for customers who need to rightsize, or for customers aged over 55 where the criteria in this policy can be met. Other age related LLPs will not be considered unless exceptional circumstances are in place, such as strong evidence that the demand for housing cannot otherwise be met.
8.2.4 Age preference LLPs will shortlist in 5 year bands. If there is no suitable candidate in specified age group, younger customers will be considered in the next 5 year band.
8.3 Sensitive let LLP
8.3.1 In areas experiencing serious, ongoing antisocial behaviour, a sensitive let/community cohesion LLP may be approved for a maximum of six months to address the issue in conjunction with other housing management measures. This would involve undertaking an enhanced risk assessment on potential applicants.
8.3.2 These measures may include the use of antisocial behaviour legislation such as closure orders, community protection notices and dispersal orders. Where the antisocial behaviour impact relates to one particular property the sensitive let criteria within the lettings policy will be used. This LLP type will be considered where there has been persistent community wide antisocial behaviour issues which can be thoroughly evidenced and are subject to legal remedies, and where data sharing with Leeds antisocial behaviour team / West Yorkshire Police can be legally justified.
8.4 Rightsizing LLP
8.4.1 To encourage rightsizing to free up large family homes in areas where demand for larger property sizes outweighs that of smaller accommodation and support the council to make best use of its housing stock.
8.4.2 Rightsizing LLPs will give preference to existing LCC tenants who meet the criteria for a priority award in the main lettings policy for best use of stock. Where rightsizing criteria cannot be met by interested applicants, allocations would be made based on housing need.
8.5 New developments LLP
8.5.1 New development LLPs are used to create a sustainable balanced community within new housing developments. The current new build local lettings policy gives preference to existing tenants and local connection criteria, with a need to demonstrate a good tenancy record. The local lettings policy for new build homes will be reviewed during 2025 and subject to consultation to make best use of allocations in new build homes.
8.6 Family friendly LLP
8.6.1 Family friendly LLPs are used to support the management of designated ‘family friendly’ high rise blocks in blocks. This LLP will typically be used in blocks that are more suited to families, for example, with enclosed balconies, enhanced security and secure external play facilities. The family friendly LLPs ensures that a cohesive community can be established in blocks with mixed property sizes in high rise blocks. Family friendly local lettings policies give preference to customers with resident or access to children where the property size fits. Local connection and good tenancy requirements are also in place for family friendly blocks.
8.7 Local connection LLP
8.7.1 Local connection LLPs may be considered giving preference to applicants with a strong local connection to a geographic area to support community stability or prevent homelessness in areas with exceptionally low availability of housing.
8.7.2 When considering the use of local connection criteria the demand for properties within that specific location will be balanced with the need to fulfil housing demand as effectively as possible across the full city, particularly for customers in the highest housing need.
8.7.3 Other approaches may be considered in exceptional circumstances where there is proportionate and justifiable reasons to do so and the policy supports one of the outlined criteria.
8.8 Evidence considered
8.8.1 When considering whether there is sufficient evidence to justify the use of a local lettings policy the following information may be used:
- housing demand data for the local area and wider city
- housing supply data, including turnover of available properties on a local and city-wide level
- the type of property
- information on the existing tenant profile
- tenancy sustainability records
- feedback from tenants living in homes affected by the policy
- evidence from other services, such as Leeds antisocial behaviour team
8.8.2 The housing manager will need do demonstrate:
- there is evidence for the need for a local lettings policy
- expected outcomes within the time period because of the local lettings policy
- the LLP is a proportionate means of dealing with the issue, where measures available in the letting policy, such as sensitive lets, would not achieve the desired outcome
- additional measures in place to deal with the issue and partnership working
- compliance with equality and housing legislation, and an Equality Impact Assessment detailing any mitigations
- stakeholder consultation
- the duration, review period and exit strategy
- methods of ongoing monitoring of objectives
9. Equality and individual needs
9.1 An equality impact assessment will be completed on each local lettings policy. This will set out potential impacts (positive and negative) on equality groups and any actions to mitigate adverse impacts. Evidence that each LLP is proportionate will be needed and the impact of each LLP needs to be monitored.
9.2 For example, where there is an approved LLP on a property that may be suitable for an applicant with a disability or individual need, housing offices can waive the requirement for the specified criteria.
9.3 Partnership approach
9.3.1 Applications for and reviews of local lettings policies will include local consultation where appropriate with:
- residents
- local elected members
- Leeds antisocial behaviour team
9.4 Approval
9.4.1 Local lettings policies will be approved as appropriate under the council’s decision making processes. The 2025/26 review will be approved by the director of communities, housing and environment. Future reviews will be approved by the chief officer of housing.
9.4.2 Each local lettings policy will be approved to remain in place for a fixed period of time. Area housing offices can request that the LLP is renewed under the criteria set out in this procedure, but they will not be automatically extended if no request is received. A positive decision to extend the LLP will be needed after the review for it to remain in place for a further fixed period.
9.5 Implementation
9.5.1 The IT system will be updated with the details of the approved LLP. Lettings teams will advertise and allocate properties according to the criteria set out in the approved LLP. Property adverts will include information about the LLP including the date of next review.
9.5.2 Details of specific local lettings policies will be available online.
9.5.3 Staff will receive full guidance and training in the application and implementation of local lettings policies.
10. Monitoring of policy outcomes
10.1 Housing offices will be responsible for overseeing the effective application of the local lettings policies. Lettings will be monitored by quality assurance. Outcomes will be measured and monitored as stated in the approved local lettings policy. Actions arising from the equality impact assessment will be monitored by the responsible person.
