Reporting Disability Discrimination as a Renter in England

If you’re a renter in England, experiencing disability discrimination from your landlord or letting agent can feel overwhelming. But you have clear rights under the law, and there are official steps you can take to report discrimination and seek fair treatment. This guide breaks down how to recognise, document, and take action against disability discrimination under English law.

Understanding Disability Discrimination for Renters

Disability discrimination happens when someone is treated unfairly or disadvantaged because of their disability. In renting, this might involve unfair eviction threats, refusing reasonable adjustments, charging higher deposits, or harassing behaviour. The main law that protects you is the Equality Act 2010^[1].

• Direct discrimination: When you’re treated worse than others because of your disability.
• Indirect discrimination: When policies or rules disadvantage people with disabilities.
• Failure to make reasonable adjustments: Landlords must take reasonable steps so disabled renters are not at a substantial disadvantage.

How to Report Disability Discrimination in England: Step-by-Step

Taking action can stop unfair treatment and help you get support. Here’s how renters in England should proceed:

1. Gather Evidence

• Keep records: Save emails, texts, and letters from your landlord or agent.
• Note incidents: Write down what happened, when, and who witnessed it.
• Document requests: Keep a copy of any requests for adjustments or repairs related to your disability.

2. Raise the Issue with Your Landlord or Letting Agent

Before making a formal complaint, try to resolve the matter directly by writing to your landlord or agent. Explain the situation and ask for the issue to be addressed. This also helps build a solid case if further steps are needed.

3. Use Your Landlord’s Complaints Procedure

• Check if your landlord or letting agent belongs to a redress scheme (like The Property Ombudsman).
• Submit a written complaint through the official process. Include evidence and a clear description of what you want to happen.

4. Complain to Your Local Council

If the matter isn’t resolved, contact your local council’s housing department. Councils can investigate issues involving poor property conditions or illegal eviction, and can act if a landlord is breaching their duties. Find your council with the find your local council service.

5. Escalate to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

• The EHRC offers guidance and can consider taking cases where there is evidence of discrimination.
• While EHRC cannot resolve individual complaints, their advice can support further action or court proceedings.

6. Applying to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for England

If informal routes do not resolve the issue, you can apply to the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) for England^[2] for issues about management, service charges, or unfair practices—not for discrimination claims alone, but sometimes linked issues overlap. For discrimination claims specifically, the county court is usually the correct forum.

7. Taking Legal Action in the County Court

If you want to pursue the matter in court, the form to use is the N1: Claim Form (PDF)^[3]. This is how individual renters bring discrimination claims under the Equality Act 2010.

• Form N1 – Claim Form: Use this form when starting a discrimination claim against your landlord in the county court. For example, if your landlord refuses reasonable adjustments despite formal requests, you may use this form to seek a legal remedy. View and download Form N1
• Include all relevant details and evidence. Court guidance is available on the Make a court claim page.

Your Rights Under the Law

Under the Equality Act 2010, landlords must not discriminate or fail to make reasonable adjustments. If you think you have experienced disability discrimination, you can report it through the above steps and seek legal remedies including compensation or an order for the discrimination to stop.

FAQ: Reporting Disability Discrimination

1. What counts as reasonable adjustments in private rentals?
   Reasonable adjustments depend on your needs but could include allowing additional aids (like handrails), changing tenancy terms, or permitting guide dogs. Landlords must consider these if reasonable to do so.
2. Can my landlord evict me for complaining about discrimination?
   No. Retaliatory eviction for making a discrimination complaint may be unlawful. If you suspect retaliation, contact your local council or seek advice promptly.
3. What should I do if my letting agent refuses to investigate my complaint?
   You can escalate your complaint to the agent’s redress scheme (such as The Property Ombudsman) and consider contacting your council or taking legal steps if necessary.
4. How long do I have to make a discrimination claim in court?
   Usually, you must start a claim within six months of the discriminatory act. Get advice quickly to avoid missing deadlines.
5. Do I need a solicitor to report disability discrimination?
   Not always, but legal advice is strongly recommended, especially when starting court proceedings. Free sources like Citizens Advice and Disability Law Service can help.

Conclusion: What Every Renter Should Know

To summarise:

• Document all interactions related to your disability and discrimination concerns.
• Try to resolve issues with your landlord and use official complaints procedures first.
• If needed, escalate to your local council, an ombudsman, or start legal action using Form N1 in the county court.

Acting quickly and using the correct process protects your rights and helps achieve the best outcome.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Discrimination: your rights – GOV.UK
• Equality and Human Rights Commission
• First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber)
• Citizens Advice – Discrimination in housing
• Find your local council

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1. Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)
2. First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber) – GOV.UK
3. Form N1 – Claim Form (GOV.UK)

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