Children in child-free complex - WIBU?

[Iltavilli]

We live in a complex of flats where children are not allowed to live. A neighbour (not sure which) has regular visitors who bring children. One of the children is a toddler and rings our entry system bell as it is the lowest on the pad. They allow him to do this and simply say “sorry it’s a child”, they don’t discourage his behaviour. They also allow the children to play around the meticulously maintained and non-child-friendly landscaped gardens. This is a “naice” area, and we pay a premium to live in a child-free complex. AIBU to complain?

None of those involve a protected characteristic. Except "pets" if it's a service animal and those would be allowed. Because... discrimination!

I would love to live in child-free complex when mine leave home. Small kids next door are so loud in summer it pisses me off (mine are teens - mainly out or online!).

Oh, you’re not in the UK. As far as I’m aware, (anybody?) it’s perfectly legal to market property (for sale, that is) to a particular section of the market.
Not to exclude protected groups, but gated communities for adults are common enough.

Not according to the CAB www.citizensadvice.org.uk/law-and-courts/discrimination/about-discrimination/equality-act-2010-discrimination-and-your-rights/

the reason I thought we didn't have childfree complexes was because some friends in the US told us that they thought there was a discrimination law of some kind here and they were worried about the same thing happening over there.

I know it took about 20 years for the Older Women's CoHousing Network to be sorted out.

And whether it's strictly discriminatory according to the letter of the law or whether it's generally discrimination to exclude families and children... I think it is.

I suppose it hinges on whether age is a protected characteristic like race or religion.

I those cases you can normally make a case for (for example) something like an Asian Women's housing complex but not 'whites only'. So since OAPs might have septic needs and families/children do as well, I assume old people's housing is allowed. But should adults only be allowed? I don't think so.

If I want to rent a room in my house, I can specify non smoker, male or female, child free person, no pet owners, only those earning above a certain amount - whatever the hell I choose.
If I want to build a block of flats and sell them on the general market, I can do exactly the same thing. It’s a private enterprise, not a public service.

I note you've skirted around the scarier implications of protected characteristics. So it would be legal in the UK for me to sell a 'whites only' property? Have a 'no gay people allowed' building? Really? That's horrifying.

No, of course not . None of those other things are “protected” by any laws whatsoever, they’re lifestyle choices. Can you honestly not understand the difference?

If it's a child free complex they shouldn't be in the garden. Isn't that the point of it? It would ruin my enjoyment if it was full of kids.

YANBU
I think child free housing is a great idea (I say this as a mother of two).
Seems quite narrow to suggest those seeking a child free existence are somehow "joyless".
My kids are constant and wonderful source of joy but certainly not my only source. That would be unhealthy. Those friends of mine who have chosen the remain childless have loads of fun and plenty of joy. It's just one of many different life choices.

Completely agree, @AnastasiaVonB

the reason I thought we didn't have childfree complexes was because some friends in the US told us that they thought there was a discrimination law of some kind here and they were worried about the same thing happening over there.

I'm not sure exactly what your friends were referring to, but there have been anti-discrimination laws that cover children in housing for a very long time in the US. The federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 makes it illegal in the US for a public or private landlord to refuse
to sell or rent a dwelling to any person because of race, color, disability, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin. The "familial status" protected category means that it is illegal for someone to refuse to sell or rent a property to a person because they have children.

As a couple of posters have pointed out, there are exceptions for communities that have been specifically established to house people 55 and over.

Does the Fair Housing Act really cover private exchanges of houses on the open market? Rentals, I understand; they’ve always been regulated, but a private dwelling?

Does the Fair Housing Act really cover private exchanges of houses on the open market?

Yes. That's actually one of its main purposes.

How odd.

OP, complain to the managers or those that run the accommodation. Point out that if it’s not child-free, it’s false advertising, customers won’t buy, owners will sue. If there is a legal way around it and money in jeopardy, then all possible actions will be taken.

How odd.

There are some exemptions to the Act that would apply to individual owners in certain situations, but the Act will apply to the vast majority of transactions.

I wonder why you think it odd. Surely it is a mark of a fair and civilized society that housing should be broadly available to all people, especially those who have historically been discriminated against.