Provision of land, housing and other accommodation

What does the Human Rights Act say about the provision of land, housing and other accommodation?

It is unlawful for any person or principal:

  • to refuse or fail the sale of any estate or interest in land or any residential or business accommodation;
  • to dispose of the estate, interest or accommodation on less favourable terms and conditions;
  • to treat any person seeking to acquire an estate, interest or accommodation differently from other persons in the same circumstances;
  • to deny any person, directly or indirectly, the right to occupy any land or any residential or business accommodation;
  • to terminate any estate or interest in land or the right of any person to occupy land or any residential or business accommodation;
  • to seek to impose on anyone else (such as a tenant) a condition limiting who may come on to the property,

by reason of the prohibited grounds of discrimination.

Exceptions

There are a number of circumstances where it is not unlawful to discriminate in the provision of land, housing and other accomodation. These include:

  • Shared residential accommodation.
  • Hostels, institutions etc (sex, marital status, religious or ethical belief, disability or age).
Further Information

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