17th
Oct 2024
Matthew Pennycook says the Renter’s Rights Bill will ensure tenants of all kinds will be protected from landlords and agents who refuse applicants based on ‘discrimination’ criteria.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has taken a hard line against agents and landlords who show discrimination towards tenants warning they will be ‘found and fined’ including those who turn away pregnant women.
The minister highlighted the plight of those who were denied a tenancy because they had families and especially those who were pregnant, calling the practice “completely unacceptable.”
Matthew Pennycook asserts that the Renters’ Rights Bill will protect tenants from landlords and agents who discriminate against applicants based on discriminatory criteria
The Housing Minister has taken a firm stance against such discrimination, warning that those who engage in it will be ‘found and fined,’ including those who reject pregnant women.
He highlighted the plight of families and pregnant women denied tenancies, calling the practice “completely unacceptable,” in an interview with the i newspaper.
Once the Renters’ Rights Bill is passed any landlords or lettings agent who turn away tenants with children or families and those who are receiving any type of benefits expect to be fined for first time offences of £7,000 and if caught repeated offences slapped with fines as much as £40,000.
Pennycook said: “We think that will act as a deterrent and if landlords think they can get around this bill… they’re wrong.”
When the newspaper brought attention to the case of a pregnant woman struggling to find a rental home, he responded “I’ve come across this issue myself as a constituency MP,” and said that Labour is “absolutely determined to outlaw such discrimination for good.”
The woman, despite being pregnant and a single mother, had been made homeless after being issued a Section 21 notice. She had since struggled to find a new home and was having to hide her bump after agents repeatedly told her that properties weren’t ‘suitable’ for her.
Despite being pregnant and a single mother, the woman had been made homeless after receiving a Section 21 notice. She then struggled to find a new home and had to hide her’bump’ as many agents told her that available properties weren’t ‘suitable’ for her.
The Renter’s Rights Bill is expected to become law in Spring 2025.
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