Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook has taken a hard line against agents and landlords who show discrimination towards tenants warning they will be ‘found and fined’ including those who turn away women who are pregnant.

The minister highlighted the plight of those who were denied a tenancy because they had families and especially those who were pregnant, calling the practice “completely unacceptable”, he told the i newspaper.

Under the Renters’ Rights Bill, anyone discriminating against tenants with families or were on benefits of any kind could face fines of £7,000 for initial breaches and up to £40,000 for repeat offences.

Labour is absolutely determined to outlaw such discrimination for good.”

Pennycook added: “We think that will act as a deterrent.” He then added that “if landlords think they can get around this bill… they’re wrong.”

Determined

When the newspaper highlighted the case of a pregnant woman who had struggled to find a home to rent, he said: “I’ve come across this issue myself as a constituency MP,” and said that Labour is “absolutely determined to outlaw such discrimination for good.”

The woman, despite being pregnant and a single mother, had been made homeless after being issued a Section 21 notice. She had since struggled to find a new home and was having to hide her bump after agents repeatedly told her that properties weren’t ‘suitable’ for her.

The Renter’s Rights Bill is expected to become law sometime in spring 2025.