Reporting Housing Discrimination as an England Renter

Experiencing housing discrimination as a renter in England can be distressing, but you have legal rights and clear steps to challenge unfair treatment. This guide walks through how to report housing discrimination, what forms you may need, and where to get support, so you can take action and protect your rights confidently.

Understanding Housing Discrimination in England

Housing discrimination occurs when a landlord, letting agent, or other housing provider treats you unfairly because of protected characteristics such as your race, disability, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, or pregnancy status. In England, your rights are protected under the Equality Act 2010, which applies to most forms of rented housing.

Examples of Housing Discrimination

• Refusing to rent to you because of your nationality or ethnicity
• Setting different rental terms for families with children
• Making offensive remarks or harassing you based on your religion or sexuality
• Denying reasonable adjustments if you have a disability

Recognising discrimination is the first step in addressing it. If you believe your rights have been violated, you are entitled to make a complaint.

How to Report Housing Discrimination

You should gather as much information as possible before making a complaint. This includes emails, written correspondence, witness statements, and any evidence of discriminatory treatment.

Step 1: Raise the Issue with the Landlord or Letting Agent

• Contact them in writing, politely explaining your concern and referring to the Equality Act 2010.
• Request a written response if possible.

Step 2: File a Formal Complaint

• If your landlord or letting agency belongs to a redress scheme, you can use their complaints process. In England, all letting agents must belong to a government-approved scheme.
• Examples include The Property Ombudsman and Ombudsman Services.

Step 3: Report to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)

• If you cannot resolve your issue, you can report discrimination to the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS), which provides free help and can refer serious complaints to the EHRC.
• Contact details: 0808 800 0082 or webchat via the EASS website.

Step 4: Make a Claim to the County Court

If you wish to take legal action, you can apply to the County Court under the Equality Act 2010.

• Official form: Form N1: Claim Form
• When to use: If you want to seek compensation or ask the court to order the landlord or agent to stop the discrimination.
• How to use: Complete Form N1, outlining the details of your claim, and submit it to your local County Court. Guidance is available on the official government website.

Practical example: If you're refused a tenancy because of your race, after gathering evidence, you could send Form N1 to the County Court to seek damages for discrimination.

The Tribunal for Housing Complaints

In England, housing discrimination claims are typically dealt with by the County Court, not a specialist tribunal. However, for some housing issues, you may use the First-tier Tribunal (Property Chamber). Discrimination complaints almost always go to the County Court under the Equality Act 2010.¹

Your Rights as a Renter

The main legislation protecting you is the Equality Act 2010.¹ This law makes it unlawful for landlords and letting agents to discriminate or harass you based on protected characteristics. If you need reasonable adjustments for a disability, landlords must usually provide them unless they have a valid reason not to.

If you feel unsafe or are being harassed, contact your local council’s housing department or the police immediately for help.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What counts as discrimination in housing?
   Housing discrimination is any unfair treatment by a landlord or agent based on protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, such as race, gender, disability, religion, or age.
2. Can I report housing discrimination if I am not yet a tenant?
   Yes, the law protects you during the application process as well as during the tenancy. If you are refused a tenancy because of a protected characteristic, you can still make a complaint.
3. What evidence do I need to support my complaint?
   Useful evidence includes emails, text messages, witness statements, advertisements, or any documents showing discriminatory treatment.
4. Is there a time limit for making a discrimination claim?
   Yes, you usually have six months less one day from the date of the discrimination to make a claim to the County Court.
5. What support is available if English is not my first language?
   National helplines and local councils can provide support or find translation services. The Equality Advisory and Support Service offers advice for people with language needs.

Conclusion

• All renters in England are legally protected from discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
• Keep detailed records and raise your complaint through the appropriate channels, starting with your landlord or agent.
• Free advice and support are available if you need assistance making a complaint or taking legal action.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) – Free advice on discrimination: 0808 800 0082
• Government guidance on complaining about letting agents
• County Court in England – Where to bring your discrimination claim
• Discrimination: your rights (GOV.UK)
• Equality Act 2010 (official text)

1. Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)