Rental discrimination: a guide for landlords

This guide for landlords explains what rental discrimination is.

The Renters’ Rights Act will change laws about renting and this guidance has been published to help private rented sector landlords and agents prepare. The new rules will apply on and from 1 May 2026.

As a landlord, you will not be able to do anything to make a tenant less likely to rent a property (or prevent them from renting it) because they have children or receive benefits. This is called ‘rental discrimination’. 

You could be issued with a civil penalty of up to £7,000 for each offence.  

This could include:  

  • withholding information about a property including its availability   

  • stopping someone from viewing a property   

  • refusing to grant someone a tenancy   

It will also apply to anyone acting on your behalf, like letting agents, referencing services, friends or family members.  

Rental discrimination could happen if someone is looking for somewhere to rent or if a household’s circumstances change during their tenancy.  

It will still be rental discrimination if you treat someone unfairly based on something that is not true, for example, if you think someone has children when they do not.  

This guidance is for landlords in England. There is different guidance for local authorities.

What counts as rental discrimination  

You will not be able to stop someone doing any of the following because they have children or get benefits (or you think they do):  

  • accessing information about the property  

  • viewing a property  

  • renting a property  

Accessing information   

Information could include:   

  • the availability of the property  

  • the date it becomes vacant  

  • details of the property, such as the size, location or number of bedrooms  

Viewing a property  

This will include refusing to let someone view the property or knowingly making it difficult for them to view it, such as by offering unreasonable times.  

Renting a property  

This will include poor treatment to make it less likely for someone to want to rent the property, for example, a rental agreement that puts the tenant at a disadvantage.

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