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New anti-discrimination laws

The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces new protections aimed at tackling discrimination in the private rented sector. These measures are designed to ensure that all prospective and current tenants are treated fairly, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Key takeaways

What you need to know

  • Discrimination based on benefits or family status is banned.

  • Landlords must treat all applicants fairly and equally.

  • Advertising and selection processes must be inclusive and transparent.

  • Non-compliance could lead to legal action or reputational damage.

What's changing?

While existing equality laws already prohibit discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, disability, or religion, the Renters’ Rights Bill goes further by addressing indirect and systemic discrimination in rental practices.

Key changes include

  • Outlawing blanket bans on renting to families with children or people receiving benefits.
  • Strengthening enforcement of anti-discrimination laws in the rental market.
  • Improving transparency in how tenants are selected.

No More “No DSS” Policies

The Renters' Rights Bill formal prohibition of so-called No DSS policies—where landlords or agents refuse to consider tenants on housing benefits. This ensures that all applicants are assessed on their individual merits, not their source of income.

This will be enforced by

  • Making it explicitly illegal to discriminate against benefit recipients.
  • Allowing affected tenants to seek redress through the courts or ombudsman.
  • Landlords can still refuse a tenant on the basis of  affordability, but not on the basis that the prospective tenant is in receipt of benefits.

Children and families

The Bill also addresses discrimination against families with children, a group often excluded from rental opportunities.

Landlords will no longer be able to

  • Impose blanket bans on children.
  • Use tenancy clauses that indirectly exclude families.
  • A landlord can no longer be compelled to discriminate by their mortgage or superior landlord agreement.
  • A landlord can still deem a property unsuitable if the family size presents an overcrowding issue.

Enforcement of anti-discrimination laws

The Renters’ Rights Bill introduces new enforcement powers to ensure landlords and agents comply with anti-discrimination measures. These rules are designed to protect prospective tenants and ensure fair access to housing.

The new rules mean

  • Local councils will be able to impose civil penalties on landlords and anyone acting directly or indirectly on their behalf up to £7,000 for breaches.

  • Landlords and letting agents can receive multiple civil penalties for continued and repeat breaches.

  • Tenants will be able to pursue a breach through their local council and seek redress through the new Private Rented Sector Ombudsman and letting agent redress schemes.

What landlords need to do

Both landlords and letting agents can be held accountable for discriminatory behaviours and should ensure all practices are compliant.

To comply with the new rules

  • Review advertising and application processes to ensure they are inclusive.
  • Avoid language that could be seen as discriminatory (e.g. “professionals only”).
  • Make decisions based on affordability and references, not assumptions about a tenant’s background.

Got a question about your rental property?

If you have any questions for our team about the Renters' Rights Bill and what it means for you as a landlord, please contact your nearest lettings branch or fill in your details below and we'll get back to you. 

Kelsey Foster
Dunmow
Chelmsford
Intercounty staff