Online adverts and social media posts have revealed apartments being marketed specifically for Muslims in areas such as Woodford, Stratford and Leyton, according to multiple reports. The listings, which include phrases like 'Muslims only,' have drawn sharp criticism from politicians across the spectrum.
Robert Jenrick, Reform UK's economic spokesman, said the adverts are 'disgusting and anti-British.' In a statement, he added: 'It goes without saying that there would be a national outrage if the tables were turned. Is anything going to happen or is this now acceptable in two-tier Britain?'
These adverts are disgusting and anti-British. It goes without saying that there would be a national outrage if the tables were turned. Is anything going to happen or is this now acceptable in two-tier Britain?
Tory frontbencher Sir James Cleverly described the ads as 'plainly unacceptable' and called on ministers to enforce the rules. 'Discriminating against tenants on the basis of religion is unlawful under the Equality Act and has no place in our housing market,' he said. 'Reports of Muslim-only rental listings in London are a failure of enforcement and a breach of the law which undermines fairness for all renters. Ministers must urgently ensure the rules are enforced properly and that those flouting them face consequences.'
Under the Equality Act, discriminating against tenants on the basis of religion is unlawful. However, the rules are more flexible for ads written by flatmates and people with lodgers, as they are allowed to have a preference on their new flatmate's religion. Those stating a religious preference are advised to explain it clearly and without exclusionary wording, meaning they cannot state that the room is for 'Muslims only.' Some landlords get around the ban by stating their preference for a Muslim person, which is allowed only for those renting out a room in the home where they reside.
This is plainly unacceptable. Discriminating against tenants on the basis of religion is unlawful under the Equality Act and has no place in our housing market. Reports of 'Muslim only' rental listings in London are a failure of enforcement and a breach of the law which undermines fairness for all renters. Ministers must urgently ensure the rules are enforced properly and that those flouting them face consequences.
One homeowner who advertised a room in a 'Muslim flat' in East London insisted he is not racist, saying it was 'a cultural thing.' According to Daily Mail - Home, the unnamed homeowner described the listing as not discriminatory, stating: 'It's my house. It's not discrimination. In this house we are Muslim. It is a Muslim household but this is more of a cultural thing. If somebody is here, we don't drink. We don't drink in the house. It's our culture - it's not being racist. I come from a multicultural place in Mauritius. All my friends are mixed.' The man lives in a large £640,000 semi-detached home in a smart residential street close to a mosque.
The extent of such listings remains unclear, as does the number of enforcement actions taken by authorities. It is also unknown whether similar advertisements exist for other religious groups. The specific legal consequences landlords face for such ads have not been detailed, and the flexible rules for live-in landlords compared to the strict ban for letting agents remain a grey area.
It's my house. It's not discrimination. In this house we are Muslim. It is a Muslim household but this is more of a cultural thing. If somebody is here, we don't drink. We don't drink in the house. It's our culture - it's not being racist. I come from a multicultural place in Mauritius. All my friends are mixed.