A Leeds letting agency has dismissed an employee after he was secretly recorded appearing to discuss how prospective tenants claiming benefits could be filtered out during the application process.

The recording was made by a member of the housing campaign group ACORN Leeds, according to Leeds Live, while posing as a landlord in a telephone call with the agent.

During the conversation, when asked about those on benefits, the Parklane Properties employee seems to suggest applicants in full-time work would be prioritised.

He said: “We’ll always present people who are in full-time work over them to be honest with you.”

Filter out the dross then keep the best enquiries in.”

The employee later added: “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.”

Landlords and letting agents cannot filter out applicants solely because they receive benefits, a practice that is now explicitly banned under the Renters’ Rights Act.

Following publication of the recording, ACORN members visited Parklane’s Headingley office to demand action from the company.

Completely unacceptable

Parklane subsequently confirmed the employee was no longer with the business and told The Negotiator the comments were “completely unacceptable” and did not reflect company policy.

The agency added: “Parklane Properties sincerely regrets this isolated incident involving the personal prejudice of one employee who is no longer with the business.”

It made it clear that it does not discriminate against any individual regardless of their background and that it took “swift action” once the matter was brought to its attention.

Parklane also criticised ACORN’s protest, saying campaigners had “stormed and occupied” its offices, creating an intimidating situation for staff and leading the company to contact West Yorkshire Police.