A judge has ruled that it is unlawful and discriminatory if agents ban people from renting property who are on housing benefit.
The a court ruling found a single mother had experienced indirect discrimination when a letting agent in York refused to rent to her. She ended up homeless for a short while with her two children.
The tenant claimed she had excellent references and could have paid 6 months up front if her parents lent her the money. However, the fact she was receiving housing benefit meant that she could not find a property to rent through an agency.
This is a landmark case and is likely to change how letting agents across the country operate.
Chris Norris, policy director at the National Residential Landlords Association, said: “No landlord should discriminate against tenants because they are in receipt of benefits.
“Every tenant’s circumstance is different and so they should be treated on a case by case basis”.
He also added that the government could support tenants by ensuring benefits covered rents entirely.