Children and pets still banned in rental ads, BBC finds
Analysis of rental ads on OpenRent and Zoopla by the broadcaster reveals many still say 'no pets' and 'no children'.
Children were not allowed in a quarter of rental ads on OpenRent, according to analysis by BBC News.
Of 8,000 adverts looked at by the BBC around 1,800, or 24%, said families should not apply.
A similar assessment of Zoopla ads revealed more than 300 that said children were not welcome, which was less than 1% of the total.
When checked for mention of pets, 73% of the OpenRent sample banned them, and 6% of Zoopla properties.
Software created by BBC News collected private rental listings from OpenRent and Zoopla over a four-day period in May.
The decision of who to let to is entirely with the landlord.”
Adam Hyslop, OpenRent’s founder, told the BBC: “The decision of who to let to is entirely with the landlord. We also do not prevent tenants from enquiring about any property.”
A Zoopla spokesperson said to the BBC over 95% of rental listings on Zoopla “make no reference to homes being unsuitable to pets or children”.
“We’re unable to find clear evidence that agents are adopting blanket bans when uploading rental listings to Zoopla which would be in breach of guidance.”
Blanket bans
Propertymark said the findings showed the importance of professional property agents because “blanket bans on advertising materials through a letting agent are demonstrably lower when compared with adverts by private landlords”.
Under the Renters (Reform) Bill, which is passing through Parliament, tenants will have the right to request a pet be allowed in their home, and the landlord cannot unreasonably refuse.
The usual bias from a left wing broadcaster we are under the threat and sanction of criminal prosecution if we don’t pay to support. It is time for a referendum to defund the BBC from the public’s pocket.