Banning Discrimination in Lettings: No More Blanket Bans on Families or Benefits Claimants

What’s Changing?

From early 2026, the Renters’ Rights Bill will prohibit landlords and letting agents in England from refusing to rent properties to:

Families with children
Tenants who receive benefits

This is a long-overdue step toward fairer access in the private rented sector.

Landlords will no longer be allowed to:

Use phrases like “no DSS” or “professionals only” in listings
Automatically reject applicants on Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, or other state support
Exclude families with children based solely on family status

This reform tackles widespread indirect discrimination in the rental market and reinforces obligations already found in the Equality Act 2010.

Why Is This Happening?

For years, research and legal cases have shown that vulnerable groups—especially single parents, disabled people, and those on low incomes—face unfair barriers when trying to find housing.

In particular, the widespread use of “No DSS” policies (referring to the former Department of Social Security) blocked tens of thousands of people from securing homes, even if they could afford the rent.

Key motivations behind the reform include:

Preventing unlawful discrimination
Improving access to housing for families and benefits recipients
Reducing the risk of homelessness linked to rental rejection

This change gives these groups a fairer shot in the housing market—and pushes landlords to make decisions based on individual merit, not blanket categories.

The Legal Background

This reform builds on landmark legal rulings in recent years:

In 2020, courts ruled that “No DSS” policies amounted to indirect discrimination against women and disabled tenants—both protected characteristics under the Equality Act.
Letting agents and landlords have since faced legal action and reputational damage for enforcing such policies.

The Renters’ Rights Bill codifies these rulings into statutory law, closing loopholes and establishing clear standards across the board.

What This Means for Landlords

Landlords must now assess every tenant on a case-by-case basis, regardless of how they intend to pay rent.

Key points:

Blanket refusals based on benefits or children will be illegal
Listings must avoid discriminatory language (e.g., “no families,” “no DSS”)
Financial checks and references are still allowed—but must be applied fairly to all tenants

Landlords can still:

Require proof of income or affordability
Ask for guarantors in reasonable cases
Refuse a tenant based on specific risk (e.g., poor references), but not their benefits status alone

To comply, landlords may need to update:

Letting agent agreements and marketing materials
Internal vetting procedures
Staff training or checklists used for tenant selection

What This Means for Tenants

This change provides much-needed protection for tenants often overlooked or excluded due to stereotypes, including:

Single mothers and parents with children
People with disabilities receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
Low-income workers supported by Universal Credit
Elderly renters receiving pensions or state support

Tenants who believe they’ve been unfairly rejected will be able to report cases through:

The new Landlord Ombudsman
Local authorities’ enforcement teams
Civil court action under the Equality Act

This levels the playing field for thousands of renters who previously had to compete under unequal conditions.

Best Practices for Compliance

Landlords and agents should:

Audit all listings and remove potentially discriminatory language
Create a clear and fair tenant screening process
Train staff on Equalities legislation
Keep written records of tenant assessments and decisions

Letting decisions should always be based on individual ability to meet tenancy obligations, not assumptions about someone’s lifestyle or financial source.

Final Thoughts

The ban on discriminating against tenants with children or benefits is not only morally right, but also legally necessary.

It ensures housing access is based on fairness and ability to pay—not stereotypes or outdated practices.

Landlords who embrace these changes will benefit from:

Wider applicant pools
Stronger reputations
Reduced legal risk

In the long run, a more inclusive rental market helps everyone—landlords included—build stability, trust, and long-term tenancies.

About LuArl Nest Estate Agents

At LuArl Nest, we believe in clear, honest service for both tenants and landlords.

Whether you’re looking to rent your next home or find the perfect tenant, our team is here to guide you every step of the way.

📧 Contact us today at info@luarnest.co.uk or visit www.luarnest.co.uk to find out how we can help you!