The Rental Discrimination clinic is a partnership between King’s Legal Clinic (KLC) and Black Equity Organisation (BEO).
The clinic will involve students working alongside members of BEO’s legal team and KLC’s supervising solicitors to advise clients who have been prevented from viewing or renting a property because they are in receipt of DWP benefits, are a disabled person or have children.
Refusal to allow a viewing or to rent in those circumstances may amount to indirect discrimination. Insecure housing and the difficulties in obtaining private rented accommodation has a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of families.
BEO recognises that race discrimination is prevalent in the housing sector. To address this and the lack of access to support the clinic will support clients who are African, Caribbean or of mixed African and Caribbean heritage.
Students will assist by interviewing clients to obtain a history of their situation, support them to gather evidence and if appropriate to raise a complaint to the landlord or letting agent or to make a complaint to The Property Ombudsman or Property Redress Scheme.
More information about the issues faced by those denied the opportunity to view a property or to rent because of their benefit status can be found on the Shelter website.
The clinic will be a nationwide virtual clinic advising and supporting clients from across England and Wales.
