Generation Rent calls for an end to ‘discriminatory’ Right to Rent

Generation Rent calls for an end to ‘discriminatory’ Right to Rent

0:05 AM, 12th November 2024, About a month ago 21

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Tenant activist group Generation Rent is urging the government to abolish the Right to Rent policy, arguing that it disproportionately affects migrant and ethnic minority renters.

In a report, it details the negative consequences of the policy, which requires landlords in England to check the immigration status of potential tenants.

The research highlights the findings from the Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) which found that 24% of landlords still feel unable to rent to non-UK passport holders, despite the policy being in place for more than eight years.

Also, 85% of prospective tenants who requested online Right to Rent checks received no response from landlords or letting agents.

When questioned, 56% of landlords who said they couldn’t rent to non-UK passport holders pointed to the risk of civil penalties if they were caught out by the policy as a reason.

Who has the right to rent

Generation Rent says: “Although landlords and agents must not make assumptions about who has the right to rent, government research found that 25% of landlords were unwilling, on principle, to let to non-British passport holders, even when they would have the right to rent here.”

“It takes twice as long for black and minority ethnic groups and migrant peoples to find a home to rent compared to a white British person.”

The group held roundtables with UNISON in April to learn of the experiences of public sector workers.

Most of those highlighted the negative impact that Right to Rent had on their, and their family and friends’, ability to find safe and secure homes.

Overhaul the private rented sector

Generation Rent says that the Renters’ Rights Bill offers a crucial opportunity to overhaul the private rented sector and ensure fair and secure housing for all.

However, to succeed, the Bill must address the specific needs of marginalised renters, particularly those from migrant and minority ethnic communities who are disproportionately affected by the housing crisis.

And that means, it says, abolishing the discriminatory Right to Rent policy.


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Desert Rat

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20:46 PM, 17th November 2024, About a month ago

I do not work for the UK immigration service.

So if not a UK passport holder, I will not rent to them. Just not worth the risk of being fined thousands of pounds if I get it wrong.

I have so many applicants for any house I list for rent. I don't need to consider letting to anyone who is not from the UK.

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