‘No DSS’ letting bans ‘ruled unlawful’ by court

A judge has ruled that blanket bans on renting properties to people on housing benefit are unlawful and discriminatory.

The “momentous” court ruling found a single mother-of-two had experienced indirect discrimination when a letting agent refused to rent to her.

She ended up homeless with her two children when her case was taken on by housing charity Shelter.

The judge ruled “No DSS” rental bans are against equality laws.

District Judge Victoria Mark heard this latest case in York County Court on 1 July, and ruled: “Rejecting tenancy applications because the applicant is in receipt of housing benefit was unlawfully discriminating on the grounds of sex and disability”.

And this was, therefore, contrary to the Equality Act 2010, she said.