Zoopla has announced that it is removing the wording ‘No DSS’ in rental listings in an effort to help the blanket ban on renters on benefits. Our previous post can be read here.
Over the next few weeks Zoopla intends to implement technical measures to remove the words ‘No DSS’ from current and new listings.
Zoopla managing director Charlie Bryant has said: “We fully support the recommendations of the NLA and the RLA, which oppose blanket bans against tenants in receipt of housing-related benefits, and are pleased to be taking action which clarifies this position.
“All tenants who are looking to rent a property deserve the chance to be fully assessed for their suitability and matched to a home that suits both their and the landlord’s circumstances.
“We proactively sought the views of our largest lettings-focused agents to ensure the above measures were undertaken on a collaborative basis and received significant support in respect of our proposed additional measures.”
The Commons Select Committee on Works and Pensions also intends to hear oral evidence from lenders, landlords, agents and benefit tenants on this matter. Lenders and platforms such as Zoopla will give evidence on their policies and how they end up treating people who are trying to rent a home and in receipt of benefits.
Comment
The use of ‘No DSS’ in advertising is very likely to be discriminatory as it makes no distinction between different tenants and the reasons that they might be in receipt of benefits. As such, it is right that Zoopla are acting to remove this blanket prohibition and to encourage agents and landlords to think about tenants as indidividuals.
Published 28 March 2019
