Private Sector

Often the quickest route to finding alternative accommodation will be through accessing privately rented accommodation.

Finding a privately rented property
We have an in-house scheme known as the Private Sector Lettings Scheme.

We work with landlords throughout Leeds to assist people facing homelessness to find quality, affordable and sustainable tenancies. All properties on our scheme are inspected by Leeds Housing Regulations team to ensure they are safe. Our scheme is primarily aimed at people who are or will be in receipt of Local Housing Allowance.

If you are interested in accessing the scheme please let us know by using one of the methods in the Contact us section of the page.

There are a number of websites and local letting agents that may be able to assist you. Please download our Assured Shorthold Tenancy guide (PDF 21kb) for more information.


Current Private Tenants
If you are currently a private tenant and are experiencing issues with your Landlord you can contact us for free advice about your rights and responsibilities as a tenant. We can provide advice regarding tenancy law.

We can give advice about the law regarding private tenancies covering issues such as:

  • Security of tenure
  • Ending tenancies legally
  • Bonds and Tenancy Deposit Schemes
  • Harassment and Illegal Eviction

We also offer a mediation service to try and resolve issues with your landlord.

If your Landlord has served you with a notice to leave the property, this must follow certain rules before it will be valid. If you are served a notice, come in and see us so that we can check it for you and provide you with advice. Information on notices and the steps Landlords have to take to ask you to leave can be found on the GOV.UK website (external website).

If you are experiencing issues of disrepair in your current private rented property we can help you. Please visit our Private rented sector housing team page for more information.​


Contact us

You can email us at Housing.options@leeds.gov.uk and can call us on 0113 222 4412 (9am to 5pm Mon to Fri).​​

 

 

I am a Landlord interested in letting my property through the schemeI am a Landlord interested in letting my property through the scheme<div class="ExternalClass15F820D7ECCB438E9D0BB010724A3198"><p>​Leeds Housing Options is part of Leeds City Council and we work to support people with their housing needs.</p> <p>Leeds Housing Options runs a scheme which helps people find suitable private rented accommodation in Leeds. The majority of people who use our service are in receipt of Housing Benefit and we experience a high demand each day from customers looking for suitable accommodation in the private sector.<br><br>The scheme we run has major benefits to landlords or letting agents who chose to promote their property through us: <br><br>• We guarantee you direct payment of Housing Benefit for your tenant from the beginning of the tenancy. <br><br>• We fast track Housing Benefit claims so they are put into payment much faster, as opposed to potentially waiting up to 6 weeks to receive a payment.<br><br>• To help people access the private rented market, instead of charging a bond we cover you for up to one month’s rent for damage to your property or loss of rent.<br><br>• Our scheme as an opportunity for landlords to increase their chances of finding a tenant. There is no obligation to accept a tenant that we find for you and there is also nothing stopping you finding your own tenant independent of the scheme.<br><br>• We ensure background checks are completed on all potential tenants that come through our scheme and we can disclose to you relevant information, such as past criminal convictions or former rent arrears.<br> <br>Before a property is promoted to people through our scheme we require that the property is inspected to make sure it meets minimum housing standards. This inspection is free and if your property fails you will be given guidance on how to make your property suitable to let. <br><br>We ask that landlords who are not already members of the Leeds Landlord Accreditation Scheme agree to become a member within three months of joining our scheme.<br><br>If you have a property and you are interested in letting it through our Private Sector Lettings Scheme please give us a call on<strong> 0113 247 6311</strong>. You can also email us at <a href="mailto:psls@leeds.gov.uk"><strong>psls@leeds.gov.uk</strong></a><strong> </strong>for more information on the scheme and help with joining. We look forward to hearing from you.<br></p></div>

 

 

Assured shorthold tenancy guidehttps://www.leeds.gov.uk/docs/AST Info.pdf75050pdf

Did you find what you were looking for?

Did you find the information you were looking for?