Landlord refuses you because of benefits, family, or background, is that legal?

In short

Many landlords and agents still say "no DSS", "no benefits", "no children" or "no families". Some of that is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010; the rest faces growing challenge. Refused a tenancy because of who you are? You may have a discrimination claim. And if disrepair is also in the picture, call us free on 0800 030 4669.

"No DSS" / "no benefits"

Two court rulings held blanket bans on benefit tenants to be unlawful indirect discrimination:

• York County Court, 2020: an agent's "no DSS" policy was unlawful sex discrimination, because it hit single mothers hardest.
• Birmingham County Court, 2020: a landlord's "no DSS" policy was unlawful disability and sex discrimination.

So a blanket "no DSS" or "no benefits" rule is very likely unlawful indirect discrimination under the Equality Act 2010: it falls hardest on women and disabled people.

A landlord can lawfully assess each applicant's affordability, one by one. A blanket rule is another matter.

"No children" or "no families"

A blanket "no children" rule is harder to fight: parental status alone is not a protected characteristic. But it often runs beside indirect sex discrimination, since single parents are mostly women. Refused on this basis? Raise it.

"No pets"

Pet bans are not unlawful in themselves, but the Renters' Rights Act 2025 changed the ground. You now have the right to ask for a pet, and the landlord must weigh the request and not refuse unreasonably. Pet damage insurance can be required.

What to do if you have been discriminated against

1. Save the evidence. Screenshot the advert, text, email or letter. Phrases like "no DSS" and "no kids" are gold dust.
2. Report the agent to its redress scheme: The Property Ombudsman or The Property Redress Scheme. Every agent in England must belong to one.
3. Tell the council's Trading Standards team, which can enforce.
4. Want to claim? The window is short: 6 months in the county court from the act.
5. For free advice, call the Equality Advisory and Support Service on 0808 800 0082, or Citizens Advice.

Right to Rent discrimination

Refused over nationality, accent, or a "foreign-sounding name"? That may be unlawful discrimination tied to the Right to Rent scheme. See Right to Rent immigration checks.

You do not have to be polite to a discriminator

Pressure sometimes lands on tenants to "move on" rather than complain. You owe nobody that. The Equality Act protects you, quiet or not.

How we can help

Discrimination cases are not our area. The right doors to knock on:

• Equality Advisory and Support Service 0808 800 0082
• Citizens Advice 0808 223 1133
• A Law Centre in your area.
• A solicitor on the Legal Aid Agency discrimination panel.

Got the tenancy, then found the home in disrepair? That side we can help with. Call us free on 0800 030 4669.

Free call: 0800 030 4669 | Start your claim

Sources

• Equality Act 2010 (legislation.gov.uk)
• Tenant Fees Act 2019 (legislation.gov.uk)