'It's horrendous': Leeds residents say parties and crime at short-term lets are forcing them to leave

There are three houses in close proximity to each other along Rookwood Crescent, in Osmondthorpe, that have been rented out for short-term lets in recent months, residents have said.

Last Friday (February 20), armed police and a helicopter responded following calls that there was a stabbing and fighting at one of the properties during a gathering of around 70 young people. Police said that a 16-year-old was arrested and has been interviewed and released on bail.

At another property on the road there was reports that a woman was raped on November 2, 2025. Five men, two aged 20 and three aged 21, from the North Yorkshire and County Durham areas, were arrested on suspicion of rape, interviewed and released on bail.

The YEP understands there is a third property that it is rented out for parties that cause disruption ”nearly every weekend”.

A ward councillor for the area said that there is an ongoing issue with properties being used as short-term lets in this way and said that the council is taking enforcement action on those doing so without proper permission.

But, he said: “The problem is you take one of them out and another pops up. It’s like Whack-a-Mole.”

‘I have never seen anything like it’

The Yorkshire Evening Post spoke to people this week about the matter, most of whom didn’t want to be identified.

They said that on Friday the property in question got busier and busier with lots of young people arriving from 5pm. One person who lived opposite the house said that she heard “a load of commotion” before armed police began arriving at around 9pm.

One man who came out of his house to see what was happening said: “I have never seen anything like it. There was a helicopter overhead and police had their fingers on triggers ready to go.”

Police dispersed the crowds, with many being ushered to the ginnel towards York Road, and searched nearby gardens. A neighbour said that they were also in the area throughout Saturday.

‘It’s horrendous’

Residents complained about the various levels of disruption at the three properties, with one woman saying: “It’s drama all the time.

“I don’t see how they’re allowed to have them on a residential street. From our point of view, it’s just not ideal.

“I know everyone has to make a living but we are the ones living here and dealing with it.”

Another said that “kids aren’t playing out” in the street because of the disruption. One resident who had lived on the street for 26 years said: “I’m now on the housing list.

“There’s others who are worried every time they are rented out.”

Another told us: “It’s horrendous.”

Meanwhile others said that they had not experienced significant problems with the properties, which are also rented out by families wanting to stay in the area and contractors who are working on sites.

One person who had lived on Rookwood View for 20 years said: “It’s one of the best streets. Everyone tries to get on.”

‘A big issue’

Ward councillor Luke Farley said: “We have got a big issue across the area with landlords setting up their properties as short-term holiday lets and converting them into HMOs.

“It’s landlords who don’t live in the area and want to make as much money as possible and don’t care about the established communities. And it results in situations like this.”

Coun Farley urged residents with concerns about how properties across the city are being used to get in touch as the council has the power to initiate enforcement action, adding: “When we are made aware we are slapping them with enforcement and getting them shut down. But the problem is you take one of them out and another pops up. It’s like whack-a-mole.

“What there needs to be is more enforcement powers for councils to take punitive action.”

Coun Farley added that he would raise the concerns raised by residents with the council’s planning department.