One of the most important changes under the Renters’ Rights Act is the move to end discrimination in the rental market, particularly against tenants with children or those receiving benefits.

This reform is designed to make renting fairer and more accessible, ensuring that people are assessed based on their suitability for a property rather than assumptions about their circumstances.

What is rental discrimination?

Rental discrimination occurs when a landlord or letting agent refuses to consider a tenant based on factors such as having children or receiving housing support, rather than their ability to afford the rent or maintain the property.

In recent years, phrases like “no DSS” or restrictions on families have been commonly seen in listings, which has made it more difficult for certain groups to access suitable housing.

While there have already been legal challenges to these practices, the Renters’ Rights Act now takes a clearer and more direct approach.

What’s changing under the Renters’ Rights Act?

Under the new legislation, landlords and letting agents will no longer be allowed to refuse tenants purely because they have children or receive benefits.

This means decisions must be based on objective criteria such as affordability, referencing and suitability, rather than blanket policies or assumptions.

The aim is to create a more open and transparent rental market, where all applicants are given a fair opportunity to secure a home.

How will this affect landlords?

For landlords, this change means adapting the way tenants are assessed.

Rather than applying broad restrictions, landlords will need to focus on individual circumstances, ensuring that each applicant is considered fairly. This includes reviewing income, employment or benefit support and overall reliability.

It also reinforces the importance of thorough referencing and proper affordability checks, as these will become the primary tools for making informed decisions.

While this may require a more detailed approach, it ultimately helps landlords find tenants who are genuinely suitable for the property.

What does this mean for tenants?

For tenants, this reform represents a significant step towards a more inclusive rental market.

Families and those receiving benefits will no longer face automatic barriers when applying for properties, allowing them to access a wider range of housing options.

This creates a fairer system, where tenants are judged on their ability to meet the requirements of the tenancy rather than their personal situation.

Why this change matters

Ending discrimination is a key part of modernising the rental sector and ensuring it reflects the needs of today’s society.

It encourages fairness, widens access to housing and promotes a more balanced relationship between landlords and tenants. At the same time, it places greater emphasis on professionalism and consistency within the lettings process.

For landlords, it is an opportunity to adopt a more structured and transparent approach, which can lead to better long-term outcomes.

The importance of proper tenant assessment

With blanket restrictions no longer permitted, the focus shifts towards assessing each tenant on their individual merits.

This involves understanding their financial position, verifying their references and ensuring they are a good fit for the property. Taking the time to carry out these checks properly reduces risk and helps build a stable tenancy.

A well-managed application process is now more important than ever.

Need advice on tenant compliance and referencing?

At Seths Estate Agents, we support landlords across Leicester in navigating these changes while ensuring their properties are let to suitable and reliable tenants.

From comprehensive referencing to full property management, we make sure every step of the process is handled professionally and in line with current legislation.

If you are currently self-managing or working with another agent, now is the time to review your approach and make sure you are fully prepared for the changes ahead.

📞 Call our team on 0116 266 9977 for expert property management.