Widespread Discrimination Against Young Renters

Charities in the EveryYouth Network have raised serious concerns about young people facing discrimination when attempting to move from homelessness accommodation into private rented housing. According to these organisations, the current Renters’ Rights Act does not sufficiently address the barriers young renters face, particularly regarding landlord refusals based on age, profession, or financial profile.

The Network is calling for the introduction of financial penalties for landlords and letting agents found to discriminate against young renters. They also advocate for enforcement mechanisms that do not rely solely on tenant complaints, aiming to better protect vulnerable applicants.

Guarantor Requirements and Refusal Patterns

Nicholas Connolly, chief executive of the EveryYouth Network, emphasised the need for government action: “Charities in our network urge the government to record and monitor refusal patterns among landlords to identify discrimination, allow anonymous reporting of discriminatory practises, and create government-backed or local authority backed guarantor schemes to prevent blanket refusals based solely on a young person’s lack of a guarantor.”

Currently, the Renters’ Rights Act prohibits landlords in England from refusing tenants solely because they receive benefits or have children. However, the charities point out that no equivalent statutory protections exist for young renters facing refusals on other grounds, such as age or income profile.

Impact of Discrimination on Young Renters

The EveryYouth Network reports that young applicants are frequently rejected due to factors including age, profession, current address, lack of a guarantor, or income profile. These refusals limit young people’s routes into independent living and extend their time in supported accommodation.

A survey of 10 youth homelessness charities found that 77% reported discriminatory practices by landlords or letting agents over the past 12 months. Guarantor requirements were cited as the biggest barrier in 90% of cases, followed by income thresholds at 70%, even when applicants were financially able to meet rental payments.

Consequences and Awareness Gaps

The charities warn that young applicants often face ‘blanket rejections’ from landlords, which can lead to individuals resorting to street homelessness, sofa surfing, or informal living arrangements that carry safeguarding risks. Frontline support workers have also expressed concerns about landlords potentially increasing rents to price out benefit recipients or disposing of rental stock in response to the reforms.

Additionally, charity workers highlight that many young renters remain unaware of their legal rights or how to challenge discriminatory treatment within the private rented sector, indicating a significant awareness gap.

What This Means for Landlords and Agents

Landlords and letting agents should be aware that calls for financial penalties and stricter enforcement against discriminatory practices are gaining momentum. Monitoring refusal patterns and ensuring compliance with the Renters’ Rights Act and related guidance will be increasingly important. Introducing or participating in guarantor schemes backed by government or local authorities may help reduce blanket refusals and support young renters’ access to housing.

Suggested internal link anchors
– Renters’ Rights Act
– landlord discrimination
– guarantor schemes
– private rented sector
– tenant complaints
– homelessness accommodation
– income thresholds
– supported accommodation
– letting agents responsibilities
– young renters legal rights
– rental market reforms
– safeguarding risks

TLA update
TLA is launching a new Trusted Partners Hub in Q1 2026, featuring verified and approved service providers selected to support landlords, tenants, and property management businesses. We are inviting legal, trades, insurance, financial, mortgage, tenant screening, and other service providers to register their interest here: https://landlordassociation.org.uk/become-a-tla-service-partner/