Landlords to be stopped from banning children

Wednesday 07 March 2018

Landlords won't be able to refuse to rent accommodation to people because they have children in future, unless they can prove the property is unsuitable.

The States have overwhelmingly supported Deputy Montfort Tadier’s proposition to stop families with children under 18-years-old being discriminated against in the rented housing market.

Deputy Tadier said he realised this legislation won’t solve the problems facing families but it provides “a backstop” and “consumer protection.”

He told the assembly that the issue was highlighted within the Independent Jersey Care Inquiry report, and it’s still one that families struggle with 30 years on. He added that in “this day and age” it is “legally and certainly morally unacceptable” for landlords to discriminate against someone because of their gender, race or sexuality, so the States should interfere to protect families and children too.

Senator Philip Ozouf disagreed saying that 'red tape' isn’t the answer - more housing supply is - with social housing as the prime focus. He labelled the move as a “waste of time” and claimed that the new legislation could in fact “prevent a well-functioning housing market.”

The Senator called on the Housing Minister to explain how the new law would work as he felt it was “completely unenforceable.”

Pictured: Deputy Tadier told the States Assembly that one woman had been turned away by landlords "as soon as they saw her pregnant belly."

The Minister, Deputy Anne Pryke, explained that she supported the proposition as the private rental market had a role in providing good, affordable homes for families. She explained that landlords could protect themselves through deposits or references, but they should not be able to ban children unless they have reasonable grounds to do so.

Deputy Pryke added that she was happy to provide the legislation needed, but along with the Social Security Minister, Deputy Susie Pinel, she agreed that it would be better to amend the age discrimination law in order to stop landlords turning away families, unless they could show evidence why the property is not suitable for children. Deputy Pinel said she would want to extend this protection to parents who have shared or part-time custody of their children, and will conduct a full consultation with stakeholders and the Jersey Landlords Association before the law is changed.

The States vote has been branded a “lifesaver’ by Lenny Jeruszka who spent eight months looking for a family home with her husband and two young children. She only found one by “pure luck” as it was homes trust accommodation that hadn’t been advertised publically. Even with a budget of £1,400 per month Lenny struggled to find a two-bedroom home, with only one-in-20 allowing children.

She told Express: “I was surprised the age of the children mattered too. Some even asked for a ‘cover letter’ to support property application, asking many private questions such as how long do I plan to stay on maternity etc. I have never forwarded one as I found it humiliating. In my opinion it’s not their business at all.”

“Children are the foundation of society. Discrimination against them should not be seen in the 21^st century, this is beyond human” added Lenny.