Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook took a tough stance against agents and landlords who show discrimination against tenants, including those who evict pregnant women, saying they will be “discovered and fined”.

The minister highlighted the plight of people who are refused housing because they have family members, especially those who are pregnant, and said the practice was “completely unacceptable”, he told the i newspaper. .
Under the Tenants' Rights Bill, anyone who discriminates against a tenant who has a family or is on benefits could be fined £7,000 for a first offence, and up to £40,000 for a repeat offence. .
Labor is absolutely determined to outlaw such discrimination forever. ”
“We think that will be a deterrent,” Pennycook added. He added, “If landlords think they can get around this bill… they are wrong.”
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When the paper highlighted the case of a pregnant woman struggling to find a rental home, he said: “I have encountered this problem myself as a constituency councillor,” adding that Labor was “absolutely committed to making this type of discrimination illegal.” I'm determined,” he said. Forever. ”
Despite being pregnant and a single mother, the woman had been made homeless after receiving a section 21 notice. Since then, she has struggled to find a new home and had to hide her hump as she was repeatedly told by agents that real estate was “not right” for her.
The Tenant Bill of Rights is expected to become law around spring 2025.