Renting - "no children" discrimination

morg_monster

I hardly think lack of gardens is the cause of problems in the inner cities per se... there are plenty of problems in towns and villages all over the country where everyone has a house and garden. Near where I work in Bloomsbury the vast majority of people live in flats - singles, couples or families, rich or poor. You can't walk for more than 2 minutes without hitting a park square and parents and kids often spend the whole of a nice summer evening sitting there playing, reading, looking at caterpillars, often with lots of friends... Same with where I live in clapham, lots of families live in flats out of necessity and the commons are full of all types enjoying the fresh air come rain or shine.

I agree that everything being equal, a place with a garden is better, but it NEVER is equal, that is the whole point. Its usually either a place without a garden... or nothing. Or a small terrace house in a scummy area with a garden full of broken bottles and you're too scared to let the kids outside anyway, or a top floor flat in a better area with a nice park nearby.

In my experience, the areas with higher concentrations of kids living in flats, have much better after school activities, clubs, etc laid on for them. That more than makes up for it. They don't just sit in the flat all day, you know!! They're at school for 6 hours of the day anyway and probably playing out at least an hour of that!

pulliptears

Captain_Mainwaring wrote: »

Yes, so am I, though I wasn't allowed to come and go as I pleased. To leave a 4 year old outside unsupervised now would be in my opinion very negligent.

I wish I could agree with you that the UK was as safe as it was when I was a kid, and i'd suggest that there are many disgruntled people who think the same as me.

Do you let your kids play outside now?

Yes, I do. And they have played out the front of the house since they were about 5, riding their bikes, playing football.

I lead brownies and we had some police officers to talk to the children about safety over the holidays. They explained that actual crime hadn't risen, we just thought it had because it got better coverage than 30 years ago. As long as kids are aware of the rules, and how to stay safe and not wander out of designated areas they are perfectly safe.

iamstacie

I'm 'discriminated' against in the private rental market because I CHOOSE to have a dog. Just like parents CHOOSE to have children. Leaving the landlord to CHOOSE whether he/she wants a child or a pet in their house. Having a dog narrows down my potential house pool, but some landlords will allow it, even if I have to pay a premium in terms of extra deposit, or taking on the rent at advertised value rather than negotiating. I'm currently in my 3rd rented house with my large hairy hound, and when I was looking to move recently, I must have viewed at least 10 properties that would allow a dog. I rang all the LAs about the various houses first before viewing because I didn't want to waste me time or theirs, or get my hopes up about a particular house. Its surprisingly simple.

This is not discrimination. Losing your sight or a limb, or having a learning disability and being told you cant rent X property is discrimination. Choosing to have a child and being told you can't rent X property is not.

Captain_Mainwaring_2

pulliptears wrote: »

Yes, I do. And they have played out the front of the house since they were about 5, riding their bikes, playing football.

I lead brownies and we had some police officers to talk to the children about safety over the holidays. They explained that actual crime hadn't risen, we just thought it had because it got better coverage than 30 years ago. As long as kids are aware of the rules, and how to stay safe and not wander out of designated areas they are perfectly safe.

Forgive me, but 99% of the time you need to tell the criminals etc , not the kids. At 5 years old without supervision? I'd say that was pretty liberal and I certainly wouldn't allow it.

Why does it not surprise me that a couple of woodentops maintained that crime hadn't risen.

pulliptears

Captain_Mainwaring wrote: »

Forgive me, but 99% of the time you need to tell the criminals etc , not the kids. At 5 years old without supervision? I'd say that was pretty liberal and I certainly wouldn't allow it.

Why does it not surprise me that a couple of woodentops maintained that crime hadn't risen.

Most crime committed against children is done by an adult they know. Letting them ride their bikes on the street for an hour is hardly going to do them any harm.

Captain_Mainwaring_2

pulliptears wrote: »

Most crime committed against children is done by an adult they know. Letting them ride their bikes on the street for an hour is hardly going to do them any harm.

At 5 years old? you know best - for your kids.

Better you go with them at that age - or do you moan at the poor sod who has to pick one out of their radiator grill because little Shane didn't have the same awareness as an adult?

pulliptears

Captain_Mainwaring wrote: »

At 5 years old? you know best - for your kids.

Better you go with them at that age - or do you moan at the poor sod who has to pick one out of their radiator grill because little Shane didn't have the same awareness as an adult?

and how will little Shane learn awareness trapped in behind gates until he's 12? He will suddenly be let free, completely alien to life outside his own front gate.

Im not saying let them run free, but as you rightly say I know my own kids and I know their sensibilities. I taught them not to run into roads and they never did.

pulliptears

A little light reading for you:

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/families/article1884426.ece

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6986544.stm


I could give you dozens more, but these sum it up nicely.

poppysarah

Captain_Mainwaring wrote: »

At 5 years old? you know best - for your kids.

Better you go with them at that age - or do you moan at the poor sod who has to pick one out of their radiator grill because little Shane didn't have the same awareness as an adult?

Little kids play out on the street here, they don't stay in their gardens and it's not a problem until all the cars are parked up on the kerb hiding kids from view until the very last second. When the street is empty it's really safe for kids to play on it.

ClareEmily

LOL I have just today sent off a letter for a house I REALLY want to rent (4 other families are also after it) and I am afraid I did state we were a professional couple with no children.

I will let you know if I get it