spacedin Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 (edited) Has anyone else noticed these 'no children' notices on property websites? One of the main reasons why so much of my hatred is directed toward the private rented sector is because of the blatant discrimination toward the I'll and disabled that seems so prevalent. It's very difficult however to prove such discrimination though when the advertisement just states 'no DSS' However I didn't realise things had got so bad that they also discriminate against children. I'm struggling to understand how that could possibly be legal especially after the Equality Act became law in 2010. Does anyone know of any case law in this area? I notice that someone on mumsnet set up a petition in 2010 that's now disappeared and I should probably post on mumsnet but it's just not really my scene lol as I'm not a mum and don't have any children. Edited January 31, 2016 by spacedin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacedin Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 (edited) Put it this way, if a council or housing association banned prospective tenants from having kids, there is no way they would get away with it. Honestly when I saw those ads I literally gasped, I just can't believe how low the landlords have sunk. Scum of the bloody Earth some of them. I even read one story where someone was evicted after they had a kid but then that must be quite prevalent what with Section. 21 of the Housing Act. With my experience of the PRS and of landlords in general I guess I shouldn't be surprised. Edited January 31, 2016 by spacedin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chronyx Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 Why should your kids be someone else's problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacedin Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share Posted January 31, 2016 Why should your kids be someone else's problem? Yes whilst they're at it they should obviously ban children from school too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilsconosciuto Posted January 31, 2016 Share Posted January 31, 2016 No, it isn't. As with many so called descrimination issues it depends how it is approached. A landlord can't ban "disabled" people outright but could view a property as unsuitable for someone in a wheel chair (due to legitimate concenrs as to damage) or requiring say a wet room. Unlike an employment situation there is a much more restricted requirment to make adjustments. So, "No kids" is as legimimate as "No Smoking". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkins Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Why should your kids be someone else's problem? If the state wasn't blocking people from buying a bit of field to build their own house on, maybe you'd have a point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riedquat Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 If the state wasn't blocking people from buying a bit of field to build their own house on, maybe you'd have a point. "Build more crap as the solution to everything", sigh. Particularly when the problem is far more down to stupid lending (although irresponsible breeding adding to the population doesn't help, which makes it harder to be sympathetic to people with children). I've not a lot of respect for landlords but on the other hand why shouldn't someone be able to choose who they do business with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacedin Posted February 1, 2016 Author Share Posted February 1, 2016 (edited) I think it's pretty clear from the section in the Equality Act about age discrimination that this practice is indeed unlawful. The only way to k ow for certain though is if someone tests it in court. Preferably a judicial review. As fad as I can tell no-one has had a go. I'm sure lots of single mothers would be eligible for legal aid too. I think if I had kids I'd do it. ****** these people. I've had enough of all this ******** discrimination that pervades British society even in the face of legislation which at first glance seems to ban it. In regards to disabled people, that hasn't been tested either as far as I'm aware. Interesting article by the anarchist Johnny Void which comments on the legality of 'No DSS' notices. https://johnnyvoid.wordpress.com/2012/04/26/are-landlords-breaking-the-law-when-they-demand-no-dss/ Edited February 1, 2016 by spacedin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattW Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Has anyone else noticed these 'no children' notices on property websites? It is a f*****g daft rule - especially when the property has 2+ bedrooms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepwello'nights Posted February 4, 2016 Share Posted February 4, 2016 Surprisingly enough someone I know with two children tells me a number of 3 bedroom houses he saw advertised when he was looking for somewhere to rent refused to allow tenants with children. A serious WTF moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacedin Posted February 5, 2016 Author Share Posted February 5, 2016 Yes I'd also bet that a lot of people have been given section 21 notices shortly after giving birth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkins Posted February 5, 2016 Share Posted February 5, 2016 "Build more crap as the solution to everything", sigh. Particularly when the problem is far more down to stupid lending (although irresponsible breeding adding to the population doesn't help, which makes it harder to be sympathetic to people with children). I've not a lot of respect for landlords but on the other hand why shouldn't someone be able to choose who they do business with? Great, I'd like to do business with a farmer to buy a small plot of land, then I'd like to do business with a builder to stick a modest house on it. Why shouldn't I be able to choose who I do business with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riedquat Posted February 6, 2016 Share Posted February 6, 2016 Great, I'd like to do business with a farmer to buy a small plot of land, then I'd like to do business with a builder to stick a modest house on it. Why shouldn't I be able to choose who I do business with? And if it's legal to build a house there (i.e. planning permission is granted) then you can. The law isn't saying who you can do business in that case, just what you can do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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