No DSS - Property Advertising

As we reported back in May, the UK Government’s Work & Pensions Committee are conducting an inquiry into letting adverts which potentially discriminate against would-be tenants on housing benefit. In light of this, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) have updated their guidance on consumer protection law for letting professionals.

The guidance now states that where a property cannot be let by a landlord to those on housing benefit because a term of a contract (such as a mortgage or insurance policy) specifies this, this would constitute material information which must be disclosed to prospective tenants. However, the CMA do not consider that there is any justification or excuse for letting agents or property portals having blanket bans against those on housing benefit.

The guidance can be read on the CMA website here.

Source:  SAL