Introduction to Discrimination in Renting
When you apply to rent a home in the UK, you have the right to be treated fairly. Discrimination in renting means being treated differently or unfairly because of who you are, such as your race, gender, disability, or other protected characteristics. This can happen at any stage of the rental process, from viewing a property to having your application considered.
Understanding your rights is important. It helps you recognise when something isn’t right and gives you the confidence to challenge unfair treatment. UK law, including the Equality Act 2010, protects you from discrimination by landlords and letting agents. These legal protections make sure everyone has a fair chance when looking for a home.
If you want to learn more about the steps involved in renting and your rights throughout the process, visit our Rental Applications: UK Legal Overview page. For more detail on how to recognise unfair treatment and what you can do about it, see our guide on Recognising Rental Discrimination.
What Counts as Discrimination When Applying to Rent?
When you apply to rent a home, the law protects you from unfair treatment based on certain personal characteristics. This is known as discrimination. Discrimination can happen if a landlord or letting agent treats you less favourably because of your race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion, or family status. These are called protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010. For a full breakdown of what counts as a protected characteristic and how discrimination is defined, see our dedicated guide on protected characteristics and discrimination when applying to rent.
Examples of discrimination include refusing your application because you have children, are from a particular ethnic background, or have a disability. It can also include making the process more difficult for you compared to other applicants. However, not every rejection is unlawful. Landlords can refuse applications for lawful reasons, such as your ability to pay the rent, references, or if the property is not suitable for your needs.
If you want to understand more about what rental discrimination looks like and how to challenge it, visit our page on how to spot and challenge rental discrimination. You can also read more about your rights and the types of discrimination covered by law on GOV.UK.
Common Types of Discrimination in Rental Applications
When you apply to rent a home, landlords and letting agents must treat you fairly. However, some people face discrimination during the application process. This can happen in several ways.
One common example is being turned down because you receive housing benefit or Universal Credit. Some landlords have a "No DSS" or "no benefits" policy. To learn more about your rights in these situations, see our guide: Can a Landlord Reject You for Being on Benefits?
Applicants with children can also experience unfair treatment. For instance, a landlord may refuse to rent to families or set stricter conditions for tenants with kids. If you want to know how the law protects you, visit: Can a Landlord Reject You for Having Children?
Discrimination can also occur for other reasons, such as your race, ethnicity, disability, or religion. Understanding how to spot and challenge this kind of behaviour is important. For further advice, read: Recognising Rental Discrimination
Your Rights and How the Law Protects You
The main law protecting renters from discrimination in the UK is the Equality Act 2010. This law makes it illegal for landlords or letting agents to treat you unfairly because of certain personal characteristics, such as your race, gender, disability, religion, or sexual orientation. These are known as “protected characteristics.” For a full list and more details on how these protections work, see the Equality Act 2010: guidance – GOV.UK.
During the rental application process, landlords and letting agents must not discriminate against you at any stage. This includes advertising properties, choosing tenants, setting terms, or carrying out checks. For example, they cannot refuse your application or offer you worse terms because of a protected characteristic. Landlords are also required to follow government guidance to avoid unlawful discrimination when conducting ‘right to rent’ checks. You can read more about these responsibilities in the Code of practice for landlords: avoiding unlawful discrimination when conducting ‘right to rent’ checks in the private rented residential sector – GOV.UK.
If you believe you have been discriminated against when applying to rent, you have the right to challenge this treatment. You can start by raising the issue with the landlord or letting agent. If the problem is not resolved, you may be able to make a formal complaint or take legal action. For practical steps on what to do and how to spot discrimination, visit our guide on Protected Characteristics and Legal Protections.
How to Respond if You Experience Discrimination
If you believe you have been treated unfairly when applying to rent a home, there are important steps you can take. Start by gathering any evidence of the discrimination. This could include emails, messages, application forms, or notes from conversations with landlords or letting agents. Keeping a clear record will help support your case.
Next, consider making a formal complaint. Many letting agents and landlords have complaints procedures. If you are unsure how to start, Shelter England provides a letter template for complaining about DSS discrimination which can be adapted for other types of discrimination.
It’s also important to seek advice if you are not sure what to do next. Organisations like Shelter and Citizens Advice can offer guidance and support. You can find more practical steps and information about your rights on Shelter England’s page about discrimination and right to rent checks.
If you want to explore your rights further or learn how to challenge discrimination effectively, see our guide on what to do if you face rental discrimination. This can help you understand the broader legal protections available and what actions you can take.
Additional Resources and Related Topics
If you want to learn more about your rights and the rental process, there are several helpful guides available. Understanding each stage can make applying to rent smoother and help you spot unfair treatment.
If you’re new to renting, start with a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a rental property. This will walk you through what to expect and how to prepare your application.
Many landlords will ask for a guarantor. If you’re unsure what this means, see our guide on what a guarantor does in UK rental agreements. This explains who can be a guarantor and what responsibilities they have.
You may also need to provide references. Our legal overview of rental references covers what landlords can ask for and your rights during this process.
It’s important to know about application fees and holding deposits too, so you understand what you might be asked to pay and what’s refundable.
Landlords are required to check your right to rent in the UK. Find out more about share codes and right to rent checks to ensure you have the correct documents ready.
For more detailed advice on spotting and challenging discrimination, visit our guide on how to spot and challenge rental discrimination.
If you have questions about discrimination or need support with your rental application, Contend’s AI Legal Assistant can help. You can get clear, personalised answers about your rights, guidance on the next steps for your situation, and even help drafting letters or documents if you need to challenge unfair treatment. Try Contend to make your rental journey more confident and informed.
