6 replies to this topic

[forte]

Is this ok to ask for a preferred tennant as it is living situations?

it is now possible to find advertisements seeking tenants for rented accommodation which specify race, or other characteristics, in a way which some experts believe breaks the law.
Newsagents in different areas of London carry adverts saying:

• "Double bedroom available… Asian only"
  
• "Double room to let Gujarati (Indian) only"
  
• Close to the station and bus stops (Filipino only)
  
• "Professional single lady or Sri Lanka professional couple"
  
• "House for rent… only Asian families"

And even on the Gumtree website you can find the occasional advert for flats in London and Birmingham specifying race.
The newsagents or online adverts are not common but they are easy to find in London in particular.

more: http://www.bbc.co.uk...gazine-18588612

Edited by forte, 04 July 2012 - 10:31 AM.

[Haji 2003]

You missed the best bit.

Quote

"We've become too politically correct about these things," says Anil Bhanot, managing trustee of the Hindu Council UK. "If people have choices let them."

Followed by:

Quote

On reflection though, he believes this might cause minorities to complain of discrimination. "This is a tricky thing. So maybe no-one should say it," he wonders aloud.

[Propaganda_of_the_Deed]

Pshhhh that's nothing. Before everyone got all politically correct, back in the 60s and 70s it was common to see adverts for flats to let and B&B's stating: No Blacks, No Irish, No Dogs

[forte]

If you are letting privately owned flat, asking for what you want is probably better than having someone apply and then not accepting them. It is more honest. Especially if it is shared accomodation.

[Ruq]

Of course it should be illegal like it is to discriminate for jobs, but ppl will still do it. Its the 'us and them' attitude that needs challanging, otherwise it doesnt matter what the law says.

[Haydar Husayn]

Quote

There's a need for flexibility in how discrimination law is applied as some groups are more vulnerable than others, says Penny Anderson, author of the Renter Girl blog. "A landlord saying no to a Muslim woman is wrong. But I think a group of Muslim women turning down a white man is OK."

Initially, Bhanot is in favour of everyone being able to state a preference over the nationality or race of their chosen tenant. So should this apply to people saying "white only"? "Yes, it's got to be allowed."

On reflection though, he believes this might cause minorities to complain of discrimination. "This is a tricky thing. So maybe no-one should say it," he wonders aloud.

This is so typical. People don't want to be discriminated against, but are quite happy to discriminate against others. You can't have it both ways.

[Haji 2003]

The following point is made in the article and it is a reasonable one.

If someone wants to get someone else to share their dwelling that is one thing (discrimination seems ok on the grounds of lifestyle). On the other hand if someone is renting out an entire flat to someone else that is another matter.

In both instances, of course, subtle discrimination can take place. These flat adverts were just a bit too explicit. The smart thing would have been to place the advert somewhere only those people you wanted were likely to see it.