UKALA Dismayed at Racist Agents
UKALA DISMAYED AT RACIST AGENTS
UKALA has expressed dismay at the attitudes and actions unearthed by a BBC investigation.
Reporters, posing as landlords unwilling to let property to ethnic minority tenants, discovered letting agents were willing to flout equalities legislation to meet racist demands.
UKALA DISMAYED AT RACIST AGENTS
UKALA has expressed dismay at the attitudes and actions unearthed by a BBC investigation.
Reporters, posing as landlords unwilling to let property to ethnic minority tenants, discovered letting agents were willing to flout equalities legislation to meet racist demands.
Commenting on the report, UKALA Executive Caroline Kenny said:
“There is no place in today’s lettings market for racial discrimination, practices such as those uncovered by the BBC are abhorrent and illegal.
“If a letting agent is asked by a client not to show a property to a person on the basis of their ethnic origin they have an obligation to explain that such activities are unacceptable and refuse their business.
“I would expect a responsible letting agent to dis-instruct themselves from a landlord making such a disgraceful request”
It has been illegal to discriminate on the grounds of race for decades, a situation made clear by the Equalities Act 2010. Additionally, UKALA members agree to abide by a code of practice which reinforces best practice by further prohibiting such prejudice.
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
Sam Haidar
Senior Press Officer, UKALA
0207 840 8925
press@ukala.org.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About UKALA:
The UK Association of Letting Agents (UKALA) is a trade association representing businesses which facilitate the rental of private residential property in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. All revenues generated are used by the association to support and benefit its members.
UKALA exists to support letting agents who are committed to improving conditions in the private rented sector. UKALA membership requires all applicants to be vetted against UKALA safeguards, and only if the following four requirements are met can lettings agencies become members and be covered by UKALA’s CMP insurance.
Written confirmation from their bank that they have a clearly segregated client money account.
Written confirmation from their accountant(s) that their business finances are in order.
Proof of a minimum level of Professional Indemnity Insurance, to be confirmed by Hamilton Fraser Insurance (HFIS) at the time of application.
Provide proof of membership of either the Ombudsmen Services or The Property Ombudsman (TPO) as part of independent redress.
Once accepted agent members are required to abide by the UKALA Scheme Rules and Code of Practice; to ensure the highest standards of professionalism and an assurance of quality in residential lettings for both landlords and tenants.
UKALA is dedicated to continuously improving conditions in the private rented sector, by ensuring that landlords and tenants are treated fairly and that best practice is understood and adhered to in residential lettings. www.ukala.org.uk