Gay man refused the right to rent a flat because of his sexuality

A gay man in London was told that he couldn’t join a flat-share because of his sexuality.

After visiting a flat for a viewing, Olly Barter, 29 was told via text that because one of the current tenants had an issue with him being gay, he would not be allowed to move into the flat.

Check out the text below:

More flat-hunting hell. This is why I mention I'm gay in my enquiries. Dodged a bullet. #gayboyproblems #homophobia pic.twitter.com/MxHb9UccvQ

— Olly Barter (@OllyBarter) March 31, 2015

“I was quite surprised to find a response this morning just after a sat down at work that was so honest about it,” Barter told The Standard. “It was quite odd. I thought ‘Why not just ignore it instead of raising something like that?’

“Part of the reason I say that I’m gay to start with is for protection in a way, to keep myself out of dodgy situations where someone reveals their bigotry later down the line,” he added.

Under the 2010 Equality Act, it is illegal for a landlord in the UK to refuse to rent a property to a person or couple based on their sexuality.

Barter’s experience mirrors that of a gay couple last year, who found themselves being refused the right to rent a flat because the landlord was looking for a “normal couple” – find out more here.

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