age, gender, gender reassignment, etc are all protected characteristics under the UKs equality act- this absolutely does cover the letting of property as well as employment law. the ONLY exception is that landlords may choose not to rent to those under the age of 18 and they can market properties to those ages over 55 as retirement properties.
so you know better than Shelter?
This is what they say, verbatim (extract from link cited above)
Protected characteristics
Under the Equality Act 2010, a person who is letting out or managing accommodation must not unlawfully discriminate against a person on the basis of their protected characteristic.
In relation to discrimination in renting out accommodation, protected characteristic means:[1]
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disability
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race
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religion or belief
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pregnancy or maternity
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sex
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gender reassignment
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sexual orientation
Age, marriage, and being in a civil partnership are also protected characteristics but are not included for discrimination in renting out a home.
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Shelter says it absolutely does not.
They’re usually pretty hot on these things seeing as how discrimination against tenants would be bread and butter for them.
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Here are the explanatory notes for section 32(1) of the Equality Act 2010, cited by Shelter
“123.This section provides that this Part of the Act, which prohibits discrimination, harassment and victimisation in relation to the disposal, management and occupation of premises, does not make it unlawful to discriminate against or harass people in those circumstances because they are married or in a civil partnership or because of age.”
A person under 18 cannot enter into an agreement to rent a house
Actually they can enter into an agreement, its just that they can’t be legally held to any of the obligations, although Shelter thinks that they can under some circumstances.
you mean they can sign a lease ?
Yes, they can sign a lease
without a parent co signing? Back down to what age?
Well they have to have capacity, so that will limit the age. They also can’t hold a legal estate in land, so the landlord will have difficulty enforcing the contract or evicting. I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone, despite what Shelter say.
I thot that applied to the L/A or social housing as they have certain powers to house under 18 s in certain circumstances .Or under 18 s in some sort of trust . Whatever shelter say I would not go by, as they never house anyone
Rent to under 18 ? Unemployment high in this sector . unlikely they can afford it I prefer older tenants. . So interview everyone , choose who can afford and you like them . Reject the rest and never give a reason why
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The government say it is…!??
I don’t know about others, but I ‘contributed’ to my pension…
Cannot legally evict a tenant under 18 either.
Absolutely.
In conclusion, hopefully, Lorna needs to move on and find something else. This situation is not worth the stress!
For the purpose of rental discrimination yes the state pension is counted as a benefit. Defn below. Most people contribute to all of these through taxation including things like vat. Unless you are unlucky enough to be so poor you pay no income tax and a somehow you don’t pay vat either (basically you don’t buy anything) you’ll be contributing.
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Benefits
Benefits includes (but is not limited to) any of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Legacy Housing Benefit
- State Pension or Pension Credit
- Council Tax Support
- Tax Credits (Child and Working)
- Child Benefit
- Guardian’s Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
The full definition of a benefits claimant, as found in the act, is any person who receives payments by virtue of (including regulations made under):
- the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992
- the Welfare Reform Act 2012
- the Jobseekers Act 1995
- the State Pension Credit Act 2002
- the Tax Credits Act 2002
- the Welfare Reform Act 2007
- the Pensions Act 2014
- a council tax reduction scheme under 13A of the Local Government Finance Act 1992
You contributed to other people’s Universal Credit too.
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