Social Security Minister Judy Martin has lodged an amendment to the discrimination law with the aim of preventing under-18s from being treated unfairly when their families are searching for a home.
In 2018, the States passed a proposition lodged by Deputy Montfort Tadier calling for a ban on landlords refusing to accept tenants with children.
Under current legislation relating to age discrimination there is a carve-out relating to the issue, which Deputy Martin’s proposals would remove.
The minister’s proposal says: ‘As it stands, this means that those who have responsibility for a child or children under the age of 18 are not protected from discrimination when seeking to occupy a residential property.
‘The Social Security Minister recently concluded a consultation exercise, which sought views from interested parties on the proposal to amend the law to prohibit discrimination of this kind.’
It adds: ‘The effect of the amendments is to prohibit those offering residential premises from refusing to let or sell on the basis that a prospective occupier has responsibility for a child or children under the age of 18, except for certain defined circumstances.
‘The amendments also prohibit those who market residential properties – for example, estate agents or property management companies – from refusing to provide details of such properties, or refusing to show such properties, to prospective occupiers with children.’
The draft law change is due to be debated on 20 July.
