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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU and over sensitive or is this against the law?

53 replies

Wishforsnow · 31/01/2017 19:44

Just looking on my local Facebook pages and someone is renting a room. They are looking for a working Asian female only. It just seems wrong that you can advertise specifying race and work status. OK maybe get the work to ensure paying bills. Is it worth reporting to the moderators for the site?

OP posts:
QueenMortificado · 31/01/2017 19:45

I'd like to know the answer to this, I see this quite often.....

StealthPolarBear · 31/01/2017 19:45

Shock what the hell do they actually want?

Reality16 · 31/01/2017 19:46

Haha I'm quite sure that 'room for rent' is a code for something Wink

OlennasWimple · 31/01/2017 19:47

Spareroom.co.uk suggests this ad would be illegal regarding race

Floggingmolly · 31/01/2017 19:48

It used to be 'French lessons'...

originalmavis · 31/01/2017 19:48

There used to be a thing for renting to japaese tenants as they were thought to be tidy and quiet. Is it still a thing?

SingingInTheRainstorm · 31/01/2017 19:49

I think some jobs can be so specific but only in certain circumstances. Personally I'd just scroll past unless it's a job you desire.

Original poster
Wishforsnow · 31/01/2017 19:49

Ha ha don't think it's code 😂 It is a female looking for a room to rent out. She doesn't have security settings on her Facebook so not looking like a swinging plan or anything!

OP posts:
originalmavis · 31/01/2017 19:49

A neighbour won't rent out to young single Italian men (sadly) as he says they party too much. Sighhhhh.

Violetcharlotte · 31/01/2017 19:50

I guess it could be an Asian female looking for a like minded female?

The more cynical side of me thinks it something more dubious though!

TeaBelle · 31/01/2017 19:50

I don't think that try housing market is protected in the same way as recruitment

Original poster
Wishforsnow · 31/01/2017 19:51

I guess like minded would have worked better. I just can't imagine renting out a room in my house and specifying either whites only or blacks only etc.

OP posts:
pigeondujour · 31/01/2017 19:51

You can rent a private room to whoever you want, surely. Loads of LGBT people advertise for other LGBT people only.

CotswoldStrife · 31/01/2017 19:52

I don't think they can specify race in that way, unless the housing is specifically for that group and it's a requirement of the tenancy and I doubt this

ClashCityRocker · 31/01/2017 19:54

I think asking about work status is ok.

I don't understand why they ask for 'professionals' only. Out of all my friends, it's the professionals that are the biggest wreck-heads.

Specifying race I suspect isn't legal...although is Asian even a race?

ClashCityRocker · 31/01/2017 19:56

If I was advertising a room to rent, I'd advertise for a plumber. Useful people, plumbers.

CesareBorgiasUnicornMask · 31/01/2017 20:00

I suspect not legal, but either way reminds me of which amused me.

Janey50 · 31/01/2017 20:02

I have seen this regularly,not on Facebook,but in the ads in shop windows. Just a few examples:-

Double room in house to rent. Only working Asian (1 male,1 female or 2 females) need apply.
Single room to let. Only available to Muslim female.
House share available. Applicant must be non-drinking,non-smoking,vegetarian Asian male.

I too have wondered about the legitimacy of these ads. I am pretty sure that if they said something like 'Room to let. Only British Christian male need apply' I am pretty sure that the powers-that-be would be on their case pretty damn quickly.

Original poster
Wishforsnow · 31/01/2017 20:02

Advertising for plumber is a fab idea. Sounds like I'm being over sensitive then. Just made me think of room to rent but no Irish.

OP posts:
pigeondujour · 31/01/2017 20:04

Just had a nose. Apparently this is illegal, but it's also illegal to discriminate on the grounds of sex. I swear so many landlords do that?! When I shared with girls our landlady was perfectly happy for us to advertise for girls.

Janey50 · 31/01/2017 20:08

Meant to add that I'm pretty sure that requesting that someone is working is legal,and saying which sex if it is for a flat or house share. Even expressing a wish for a non-smoker etc seems OK. But stating that you they must be Asian? Or Muslim? Surely that is some form of racism?

helenfagain · 31/01/2017 20:08

Live in landlords can specify pretty much anything except race.

RebelRogue · 31/01/2017 20:13

Tbh I guess it's more for an easy life. If you do prayers at a certain time,have certain customs,only eat halal etc it will be a lot easier to share the house with people like yourself. It's daft though as Asian is too wide and you couldn't guarantee you get what "you asked for".

Original poster
Wishforsnow · 31/01/2017 20:14

Maybe will just report the post to the moderator. Was really just surprised and glad to see that it is illegal.

OP posts:
QueenMortificado · 31/01/2017 20:16

I would much prefer they did specify stuff like this

It would be utterly pointless for me to apply for a room share and then unofficially be turned down because I'm not Asian or vegetarian or something