Landlords and agents in England should review the whole application process when checking for rental discrimination. Current government guidance says people must not be disadvantaged because they have children or receive benefits. The protection extends beyond the advert: withholding information, obstructing a viewing or refusing an application can also be relevant.
Check the process as well as the advert
The government’s landlord guide applies to assured tenancies, excluding social and supported housing, and covers people acting for a landlord as well as the landlord themselves. It also explains that unfair treatment based on an incorrect assumption about an applicant can still be discrimination. A quick edit to a listing will not resolve a practice that continues in telephone enquiries or referencing.
As an editorial checklist, read the advert alongside your enquiry script and application form. Ask whether each step gives applicants a fair opportunity to provide relevant information. Brief anyone who answers enquiries on your behalf. Where a property-specific issue arises, check the detailed guidance and obtain advice rather than improvising a blanket rule. Exceptions require care; a general statement about what kind of household is preferred is not a substitute for understanding the requirements.
What applicants can keep
If you believe you have been treated unfairly because you have children or receive benefits, GOV.UK directs you to the council where the property is located. Keep dated messages, a copy of the listing and relevant documents. A short timeline can help explain what was said, when a viewing was requested and how the application was handled.
The council can investigate and may impose a penalty where it finds discrimination. Government guidance also describes complaints to an agent or property manager and then the relevant redress scheme where the complaint remains unresolved. Citizens Advice and Shelter can provide support; private legal action should be discussed with a lawyer or Law Centre.
An updated archive topic
This article replaces an old report about rental-advert statistics. Those historical figures are not used to describe today’s market, and the previous commentary about proposed legislation has been removed. The practical priority now is to use the current guidance, keep a clear record and assess an individual situation fairly.
Sources: GOV.UK rental discrimination guides for landlords and tenants, checked 5 November 2026.