PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Private Rented Housing: Housing Benefit (13 May 2021)

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps his Department is taking to tackle discrimination against people claiming housing benefit in the private rented sector; and what recourse is open to people affected by that discrimination.

Asked by:
Feryal Clark (Labour)

Blanket bans against tenants in receipt of benefits have no place in a fair and modern housing market. The Government has worked with the lettings industry to agree an approach to end this practice. Major lettings portals Zoopla and Rightmove agreed to stop the use of 'No DSS' adverts on their websites, and several major lenders agreed to remove restrictions on mortgages which prevented landlords from letting to tenants on benefits.

We will continue to encourage landlords to look at all tenants on an individual basis. Current legislation prohibits acts of discrimination against individuals on the basis of a number of protected characteristics. Where a prospective tenant believes that they have been discriminated against, they should seek independent legal advice or contact Citizens’ Advice for free, impartial advice.

Additionally, it is a legal requirement for letting and managing agents in England to belong to one of the two Government approved redress schemes. If a prospective tenant feels that a letting agent is acting unfairly or continues to offer a poor service, they can raise a formal complaint.

The Government is committed to delivering a fairer and more effective rental market for all tenants, including our intention to abolish Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions and introduce a lifetime deposit to ease the burden when moving house. More details will follow in a White Paper published later this year, which will be informed by engagement with stakeholders.

Answered by:
Eddie Hughes (Conservative)
21 May 2021