Is this illegal discrimination?

[loopyapp]

I am a single parent of four boys, two of which have a wide range of disabilities and additional needs. I am their full time carer and as a result our income is entirely benefits. Their dad is very supportive financialy and has acted as my guarantor for 5+ years.

So.. With that said is this illegal discrimination?

@NotAPanda

They were dumb enough to put it in writing, definitely contact Shelter! That’ll definitely make them change their minds. The next time they’ll just reject people with no explanation whatsoever

That was my thinking. I've earmarked a bit of time for it tomorrow.

I hate that anyone can do this to someone based on misinformed generalisation propagated by far right bigots.

@VanCleefArpels

I don’t think it’s discriminatory to refuse a tenant based on their financial position. Just because the financial position is due to caring responsibilities is no more relevant than a scenario where someone has a very low income and so doesn’t pass the affordability tests for the rent.

Your scenario is what state provision of housing is for. And that’s a WHOLE other conversation

It's indirect discrimination.

There are two groups of people who come into the "protected characteristics" group and who are more likely to be on benefits than people without those characteristics: people with disabilities and single parents (90% or so of whom are women).

The ban on letting to people on benefits therefore disproportionately affects these two protected groups, and the courts have now found in favour of the applicants in two separate cases.

@LakieLady I don’t disagree. However if a landlord could show one other non discriminatory reason for not renting to a particular person eg affordability (regardless of source of income) then a claim would fail

@MorningNinja

As a landlord my mortgage provider will not allow me to have tenants that are relying solely on benefits.

Then your Mortgage company is breaking the law.

@Seafog

It's not discrimination if their mortgage doesn't allow it

Actually it's unlawful as stated above and they are not allowed to do this.