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Landlords who say ‘no DSS’ breaking equality laws
Just came across this on BBC News.
The thousands of lettings agents and landlords around the country who reject housing benefit claimants could be flouting equality laws, due a recent legal case.
single mother Rosie Keogh won compensation for sex discrimination from a lettings agency that refused to consider her as a tenant because she was on state benefit.
Rosie’s attempt to rent a property in a smart area of Birmingham in May 2016 was blocked when the lettings agent found she would pay some of the rent via housing benefit.
The agent told her it would not be proceeding with her application for a property in Kings Heath before it had looked into her individual circumstances or assessed how reliable a tenant she would be.
She had been living in the same property for 11 years with the rent being paid in full every time.
After a letter of complaint was dismissed by the agents, the mother of one issued a claim for discrimination in the county court.
Eighteen months after Rosie first began her fightback, lettings agent Nicholas George admitted indirect discrimination on the grounds of her sex, settling out of court with £2,000 compensation.
The case established the principle of sexual discrimination under the Equality Act.
Good spot.
I must admit I thought it was slightly overstating the case to say this case has established a legal precedent.
Confirmed that it doesn’t by Nearly Legal amongst others.
Maybe not but it’s useful to be reminded.
Absolutely Mike, it shows that challenges are possible and worthwhile, which is something.
I wonder whether she was represented…
I wonder whether she was represented…
From t’article…
Rosie was supported in her case by Shelter, whose legal officer Rose Arnall said: “By applying a blanket policy they are actually preventing good tenants from accessing the private rented sector.
She also had help from the Bar Pro Bono Unit with the case who found a barrister willing to help for free.
Robert Brown gave advice and drew up the consent order which was witnessed by a judge at Birmingham County Court.”
They’ve also amended the news story to clarify “Although not setting a legally binding precedent, the case established that the practice could be considered indirect sexual discrimination”
Interesting blog on this case.
House of Commons Library briefing refers to the case and evidence of private landlords’ reluctance to let to claimants on HB / UC.