Two Labour MPs have put written questions to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on lettings agents rejecting tenants that are in receipt of benefits. Our previous post on this can be read here.
The Minister for the Private Rented Sector, Heather Wheeler responded to the questions:
“The Department has received correspondence on this issue. The Government appreciates the problems that some housing benefit claimants can face in finding accommodation in the private rented sector.
“We strongly encourage landlords and agents to look at all potential and existing tenants in receipt of housing benefit on an individual basis. We will shortly be publishing a new How to Let guide to help landlords better understand their responsibilities.
“Legislation exists to prohibit acts of discrimination against individuals in terms of age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership and pregnancy and maternity.”
Comment
In light of these comments we will update readers when the new How to Rent Guide is published. This is of course the second amendment to the guide this year and we are only in March. Landlords and agents rejecting tenants that are in receipt of benefits continues to be an important issue in the sector which does mean internal policies should be reviewed.
