The Government says it will make it illegal for landlords to have blanket bans on letting to benefit recipients. If this is a commitment to preventing landlords from discriminating against benefit recipients, it is unrealistic. If it is a commitment to preventing landlords from stating explicitly that they will not consider letting to benefit recipients, it is unambitious. Landlords who do not want to let to benefit recipients will simply choose not to do so. The real issue is twofold: there ...

The Government says it will make it illegal for landlords to have blanket bans on letting to benefit recipients. If this is a commitment to preventing landlords from discriminating against benefit recipients, it is unrealistic. If it is a commitment to preventing landlords from stating explicitly that they will not consider letting to benefit recipients, it is unambitious. Landlords who do not want to let to benefit recipients will simply choose not to do so. The real issue is twofold: there are not enough homes for rent; and local housing allowance rates have not kept pace with the market in recent years. We call on the Government to explain Type: recommendation | Number: 28 | Paragraph: 143 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: Prohibiting blanket bans on those in receipt of benefits or with children is an important step to protect prospective tenants and their families. It will help make sure that low- income tenants and families don’t fall at the first hurdl