What law protects me from housing discrimination in the UK?
The Equality Act 2010 makes it unlawful for landlords, letting agents, and housing providers to discriminate against you because of a protected characteristic. Protected characteristics include race, sex, disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, and gender reassignment.
Is it illegal for a landlord to refuse to rent to someone on housing benefit in the UK?
Yes. Since 2020, blanket No DSS policies — refusing tenants solely because they receive housing benefit or Universal Credit — have been found unlawful by courts as indirect sex and disability discrimination. If a landlord refuses you solely on this basis, you may have grounds for a county court claim.
How do I make a housing discrimination complaint to the Equality and Human Rights Commission?
The EHRC does not handle individual complaints directly but provides guidance and can take action against widespread discrimination. For individual complaints, contact the Equality Advisory Support Service (EASS) on 0808 800 0082 (free). EASS advisers can help you understand your rights and draft a formal complaint.
What free help is available from Shelter for housing discrimination?
Shelter operates a free housing advice helpline on 0808 800 4444. Shelter advisers can assess your situation, explain the Equality Act 2010, and in some cases provide legal representation through Shelter Legal Services. Their website also has detailed self-help guidance at shelter.org.uk.
How do I bring a county court claim for housing discrimination?
You can issue a claim in the County Court under the Equality Act 2010 within six months of the discriminatory act. The claim is started using Form N1 or via Money Claim Online for financial remedies. You can claim for financial loss, injury to feelings (which can range from £900 to over £45,000), and a declaration that discrimination occurred.
What is the Housing Ombudsman and when can I use it?
The Housing Ombudsman Service investigates complaints about social landlords — housing associations and local councils. If your social landlord has discriminated against you and has not resolved your complaint through their own process, you can refer to the Ombudsman for free. They can order compensation and service improvements.
Can Right to Rent checks lead to discrimination and what can I do?
Yes. The government's own equality assessment found that the Right to Rent scheme under the Immigration Act 2014 leads some landlords to discriminate against non-British nationals and people with complex immigration status. If you believe you were refused tenancy due to your nationality or ethnicity during a Right to Rent check, this may be racial discrimination under the Equality Act 2010.
What evidence should I gather in a housing discrimination case?
Gather written evidence of the refusal, such as email or text messages. If the refusal was verbal, note the date, time, and exact words used. Keep records of your communications with the landlord or agent, screenshots of advertisements, and any correspondence with the EASS or Shelter. Evidence of comparable applicants being treated differently is particularly valuable.
Does any part of the housing discrimination complaint process require notarisation?
County court claim forms and EASS complaints do not require notarisation. Witness statements must be signed with a statement of truth but are not notarised. If you are relying on overseas documents, certified translations may be needed.
How does uplaw.ai help with housing discrimination in the UK?
Tell us what happened, what protected characteristic is involved, and what the landlord or agent said. We help you identify whether you have a claim under the Equality Act 2010, draft a complaint to the EASS, and prepare county court documents without a solicitor.
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