Time to end discrimination against benefit claimants by buy to let mortgage providers is the call by the RLA

October 22, 2018

URGENT action is needed to tackle discrimination against benefit claimants by buy-to-let mortgage providers, this call is being made by the Residential Landlords Association (RLA) following news that a landlord has had the mortgage on a property revoked because she is renting to a benefit claimant.

In a letter being sent to the Treasury Minister responsible for banking, John Glen MP, the RLA is calling for:

The Government to use the influence it has in those banks in which it currently has shares to end such discriminatory practices.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), working with the Bank of England, to undertake a full investigation into the extent of this problem and prepare plans to end it. The RLA believes such practices breach a number of principles within the FCA’s ‘Treating Customers Fairly’ agenda.

The Equalities and Human Rights Commission to undertake a review of whether such practices breach equalities law.

David Smith, Policy Director for the RLA said:

“With growing numbers of benefit claimants now relying on the private rented sector, it is shameful that many lenders are preventing landlords renting property to some of the most vulnerable in society with little or no justification.

“The Banks have had long enough to get their house in order. It is now time to take firm action to stop such unjust practices.”

Read the RLA news release ‘Time to end banks discrimination against tenants on benefits’ in full click here.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

You May Also Enjoy

Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Mansion Tax on Homes over £2 million

Comment on Mansion Tax being introduced for homes over £2 million and £5 million from April 2028 Colleen Babcock, Rightmove’s property expert says: “The property market needs less taxation not more, to encourage and enable movement. Today’s announcement of a Mansion Tax could lead to some distortion at the top end of the market, particularly…
Read More →
Breaking News

Autumn Budget 2025: Property Industry Reacts

The Autumn Budget has confirmed a series of major housing and property tax reforms that will reshape the market over the coming years. The measures place particular emphasis on higher value homes, revised council tax structures and long term planning reform. Below is a breakdown of the announcements that directly affect the property market, together…
Read More →
Breaking News

Solutions to fix construction skills

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has released a report titled, ‘Skills to Build: Fixing Britain’s construction workforce crisis.’ After speaking to several organizations and having roundtables to garner a wide understanding of the sectors’ perspectives and needs, they have proposed twenty six recommendations that will fix the issues underpinning the skills crisis. Richard Beresford,…
Read More →
Breaking News

Budget Commentary – Mansion Tax, Business Rates & Planning Reform

Andrew Teacher, Co-founder at LauderTeacher, one of the UK’s leading advisors on real estate communications, investor relations and a former spokesman for the BPF, comments on the potential Budget. Mansion tax “Nobody likes paying tax, but the reality is a council tax revaluation is long overdue. Rather than distorting the market, which is what a…
Read More →
Rightmove logo
Breaking News

Budget 2025 market data & home-mover and agent insight

Speculation about property tax changes is fuelling uncertainty across much of the market Rightmove research found that home-movers would favour staggered stamp duty payments, while a poll of estate agents also suggested that staggered payments would be a preferable change to shifting payment to the seller Rightmove data on rumoured property tax changes Mansion Tax…
Read More →
Breaking News

Breaking Property News 24/11/25

Daily bite-sized proptech and property news in partnership with Proptech-X. Symple resolves four core issues in the new Renter’s Rights Act Automating compliance in the new PRS landscape   The Renters’ Rights Act has raised the bar for private landlords in England in terms of property condition, hazard resolution, evidence of compliance and regulatory registration. Symple…
Read More →