Labour in Leeds

A leading Labour Councillor has called for a review into what checks are made by the Council before a property is let.  This follows a number of incidents raised with Cllr Mohammed Rafique in the last year, which has highlighted the problems that can arise when Council properties are let to new tenants.  

In calling for this review, Shadow Community Safety spokesperson Mohammed Rafique has called on the Council to give greater thought on the potential impact a prospective tenant may have on residents already living in the communities they are moving into. 

Councillor Mohammed Rafique (Labour, Shadow Spokesperson for Community Safety) said: “This Council has to begin to face up to the numerous challenges around this very difficult issue. It is absolutely vital that we begin to look into ways in which we can not only help those people who desperately need a home, but also protect those residents already living in a community.  

“The effect of a decision to house a single person in one property who subsequently participates in various forms of anti-social behaviour, especially in a multi-occupancy building, can have a massive effect on the quality of life of other residents, particularly if they are old and infirm. Therefore it is absolutely vital that the Council thinks through every possible consequence before any decisions is made.  

“There has to be more we can do, which is why I am calling on the Tory-LibDem Coalition in control of the Council to undertake a thorough review of its lettings policy and in-particular this very important strand of it.”