Racial discrimination in housing is against the law. You have legal protections, whether you are looking to rent or already renting. Here is what the law
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Racial discrimination in housing is against the law. You have legal protections, whether you are looking to rent or already renting. Here is what the law says. And here is what you can do if you have been treated unfairly because of your race or ethnicity.
What does the law say?
The Equality Act 2010 protects you. A landlord or letting agent cannot treat you unfairly because of your race, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origins. This is against the law at every stage of renting. It covers adverts, viewings, and how you are treated once you live there.
Discrimination can be:
- Direct: you are treated worse than someone of a different race in a similar situation
- Indirect: a rule that applies to everyone but puts people of your race at a real disadvantage, without a good reason
- Harassment: behaviour related to your race that creates a hostile, degrading, or offensive environment
- Victimisation: being treated badly because you complained about discrimination or helped someone else who did
Examples of unlawful discrimination
- Refusing to let a property to you because of your race, even if the landlord does not say this directly
- Advertising a home with conditions that shut out particular nationalities (such as "no overseas students" or "preferred English-speaking tenant only")
- Charging you higher rent or deposits than other tenants without a good reason
- Evicting you or threatening eviction for reasons linked to your race
- Leaving your repairs undone while doing them for tenants of a different race
What about "No DSS" policies and overseas tenants?
Some policies refuse tenants because of their immigration status or country of origin. In some cases, this can count as indirect racial discrimination. Courts and tribunals have found that blanket bans can be unlawful. This is most likely when they are used without looking at your own situation.
What can I do if I have been discriminated against?
Gather evidence
Keep a record of anything that matters. This means messages from your landlord or agent, emails, letters, and screenshots. Note the dates of any conversations too. If you have a witness, write down their details.
Report to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)
The EHRC makes sure equality law is followed. They can take action against landlords and agents. They have a helpline and guidance online.
Make a complaint to the Property Ombudsman or Property Redress Scheme
If a letting agent is involved, you can complain to the redress scheme they belong to. All letting agents in England must be a member of an approved scheme.
Bring a claim in the county court
You can bring discrimination claims in housing to the county court. Time limits apply. This is usually six months from the act of discrimination. You may be able to get legal aid. You could also get support from a housing charity or law centre.
Contact Citizens Advice or Shelter
Both can tell you about your rights and your options.
When should I contact Support for Tenants?
We help tenants with housing disrepair claims. This is when a landlord has not kept a property safe or fit to live in. Has your landlord failed to repair your home, but kept up other tenants' homes? Do you think this may be linked to race? If so, call us to talk about your situation.
Call us on 0800 030 4669. No upfront cost. You only pay if you win, and the fee comes out of the compensation, not your pocket. If you don't win, you pay nothing.
Sources
Related articles
We review every guide at least twice a year and update it when the law changes. If you spot something out of date or wrong, email help@supportfortenants.co.uk.
Reviewed against current housing law for England and Wales as at 15 June 2026. Checked by our SRA-regulated panel solicitors. This is general information, not legal advice for your specific case. Any compensation figures or ranges shown are illustrative only, not a promise; every case is different.
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