Update on the Renters’ Rights Bill

Dear Members of Parliament,

We write to you with deep concern and disappointment regarding the Renters’ Rights Bill and the persistent lack of political will to address racial discrimination in housing legislation. Despite overwhelming evidence, amendments designed to tackle the racialised nature of housing have been repeatedly deemed “out of scope.” This inertia directly contributes to inadequate safeguards for Black and Global Majority renters, who are disproportionately represented in the private rented sector and face heightened risks of discrimination and housing insecurity.

Why this matters

Government data and independent research are unequivocal: Black, Asian, and other minoritised ethnic communities are at far greater risk of homelessness and are more likely to occupy insecure or temporary accommodation.

What the evidence tells us

• Black and Mixed Ethnicity people in particular face the greatest risks of homelessness, with Black people living in London most at risk of being statutory homeless  (Bramley et al, 2022).
• Nearly one in three Black Caribbean, Black African, and Pakistani households have reported discrimination when seeking private housing ( Runnymede, 2013and Rogaly et al., 2021).
• BBC investigations have exposed property agencies refusing to show flats to Black tenants (Lynn & Davey, 2013).
• Research consistently shows that proving racial discrimination is extremely difficult, as much is rooted in unconscious bias and subtle, racialised assumptions (Fitzpatrick et al., 2024).
• There are higher rates of social and private rental housing among Gypsy and Irish Traveller, Black, Roma, and Arab children (Marmot et al., 2024).
• Black and other minoritised applicants are far less likely to access social housing, and explicit racism from landlords remains widespread (Fitzpatrick et al, forthcoming).

The impact of political inertia

The current justification for excluding robust anti-discrimination measures—pointing to the Equality Act 2010 or court remedies—ignores the reality that these “safeguards” place an unfair burden on individuals. The process is complex, inaccessible, and fails to provide real protection. As a result, the Renters’ Rights Bill, in its current form, perpetuates the very inequalities it should be dismantling.

We reject ethnicity-blind approaches

Ethnicity-blind policy is not neutral; it is harmful. By refusing to see and address the specific barriers faced by Black and Global Majority renters, Parliament is complicit in sustaining a system that enables direct and indirect discrimination and deepens inequality. We urge you to reconsider the decision to deem anti-racist amendments out of scope.

What must change

To break this cycle and build a fair, safe private rented sector, the Renters’ Rights Bill must include:

• Explicit protections against racial discrimination—Clearly prohibiting all forms of racial discrimination in the private rented sector, with robust enforcement and penalties.
• Proactive and targeted safeguards—Rejecting ethnicity-blind approaches and requiring active measures to dismantle barriers, including mandatory anti-racism training for landlords and agents.
• Robust data monitoring –Enhancing transparency by mandating improved data collection on racial discrimination in housing.
• Accessible mechanisms for redress—Providing simple, well-resourced pathways for victims to seek justice, without the burden falling entirely on individuals.
• Accountability and oversight—Establishing independent oversight to guarantee anti-discrimination measures are implemented and enforced.

Racial discrimination in housing is a profound injustice that damages lives and communities. The Renters’ Rights Bill is a historic opportunity to close the protection gap and build a system where everyone—regardless of background—has equal access to a safe and secure home. We urge you to act decisively and make racial justice a central pillar of this legislation.

Yours sincerely,