This again is a fairly limited right. You are only protected from discrimination which is illegal under the law.
The main areas where discrimination is prohibited is
- Sex and sexual orientation
- Religion
- Race
- Disability
So unfortunately, there is not a lot you can do if your landlord is discriminating against you because he does not like the look of your face (unless maybe it is because you look foreign), or your red hair or the fact that you are about to have a baby.
However it will be illegal for him to discriminate against you because you are black, because you are a Jehovah’s Witness, because you are a transsexual or because you suffer from Schizophrenia.
Note though that the fact that a landlord does not accept you as a tenant if you fall into these groups does not per se mean he is discriminating against you – he may have decided against you for a reason which is unconnected For example, he may feel you will not be able to afford the rent (which is a valid reason to reject someone as a tenant).
So far as disabled tenants are concerned, landlords are also obliged to carry out reasonable adjustments to the property.
It will also normally be considered discrimination to refuse to allow a disabled tenant keep an Assistance dog.
You can find out more about your rights at the Equality and Human Rights Commission website.
Landlord Law Blog Posts
- Can landlords discriminate against tenants with zero hours contracts?
- Disabled tenant wants landlord to help him enjoy his property
- Eviction, disability discrimination and dogs
