The WRC found that a rental advertisement saying “no rent allowance accepted” was discriminatory, but ruled that a landlord was not liable for it. The decision, dated 29 March 2017, found the prospective tenant’s Equal Status claim against the landlord was not well founded.
The prospective tenant said he saw the advertisement online and was told rent supplement was not accepted when he called to arrange a viewing. The landlord, represented by her spouse, denied knowing about or authorising the advertisement. Her representative said the person listed as its contact was a former tenant who had sublet the dwelling without consent.
The adjudication officer found that the person who placed the advertisement was not acting as the landlord’s agent. The evidence did not establish a link that would make the landlord liable for the discriminatory act. The ruling concerned the landlord’s responsibility for the advertisement; it did not find that the advertisement itself was lawful.