Renting - "no children" discrimination

mrs-puff

This discrimination is on the same level as "no Irish or Blacks" IMHO and might be worth a challenge in the courts?

I agree, it wasn't too long ago that an asian of black family that moved into an area was considered to be 'lowering the tone'. Remember 'Love Thy Neighbour' ?

OK, Do it your way - They will just fail my credit check - more than one way to skin a cat if I can't rent out my property to who I want.

If it were law that LL's were not to differentiate between those with kids and those without, I would expect the end result to be no different to how it is now, except with more families 'failing credit checks' or finding the house has 'already been let'. If someone doesn't want to allow you and your child to live in their property, then they shouldn't be made to do so. There are plenty around that will.

Replace the words kids and children with asian. :rolleyes:

I bet this is what happened to a lot of those families 30 odd years ago. Thankfully we brought in laws to try and prevent this type of thing. Seems nowadays, as I briefly read through the cries of horror that some housing association tenants may be moving into the street or someone who has 3 kids.. that this is the new 'lowering of the tone' in 2008.
Yes people CHOOSE to have kids. But what they don't CHOOSE is to have their partner leave them, or to lose their job, or one parent to fall ill, or any number of 1000 reasons and circumstances why they lose their previous home. None of this is CHOICE. The children caught in the middle are the true innocents when things like this happen.

We have laws in this country that bar employers and businesses from discriminating on the basis that a woman is pregnant, or may become pregnant in the near future. Why on earth are landlords allowed to discriminate on the basis of 'having children' ? If they can pay the rent on time and keep the place decent what's the problem ?

There's discrimination on the basis that they are barred from even applying to a BUSINESS ( Landlord has of course registered as one for tax purposes ) for a home PURELY based on stereoypical and negative assumptions. With the acute shortage of social family homes, I think it's only a matter of time before someone takes this one all the way and sets a precedent. No council housing, an ecomonic downturn resulting in a huge rise in repos and families seeking tenancies does not equate to landlords refusing to accomodate children in their lettings. Someone somewhere will do something about it. Dog homes are busting at the seams thanks to the 'no dogs' rule. I don't think the goverment will allow childrens homes to go the same way.

Oh and

In my experience, the families with young children renting next to us (there has been two families who have lived there so far) couldn't care less the effect their noise has on others as the standard excuse seems to be because they have got children they can do what they like

Wait till you've had a few yourself love. You might feel differently when you've got a 2 month old with colic and a three year old that want to re-enact the entire script from 'Cars' in the garden. But in 25 years time both will be tax-payers who'll be paying for your bus pass so comfort yourself with that.;)

Snooze

I agree with the Captain, people should get it into their heads that they don't have any "right" to any rental property.

When I was a LL I didn't allow kids either and if I went back to it I still wouldn't allow them. Everyone says that their kids are well-behaved and 99% of the time it's the exact opposite. My neighbour says that her kids are well-behaved (girl 2, boy 1) and won't have a bad word said about them. I was round there a few days ago to sort out their wireless connection and the girl was in the same room as me and the owner. We were having a conversation and the girl was trying to interrupt and get my attention but I just ignored her. Next thing she shouts "oi, don't you f***ing ignore me mister!" :eek: Mother said nothing and just buried her head in her hands saying "she's picked it up from nursery".

So that makes it okay then? :rolleyes: TWO YEARS OLD!!! If she'd been my daughter she'd have been knocked to the other end of the room.

Anyway, I digress...

Having lived next door to people with kids of various ages from babies up to teenager's of alleged "well-behaved" status, I know first hand that it's hell on earth, either having to suffer the constant screaming and wailing of 0-5s, shouting and collection of balls from the garden pond from 5-15s and banging music and parties from 15-20s, and quite frankly I don't want to subject the neighbour's of my rental properties to that. They're entitled to some peace and quiet so I'm afraid those that choose to have kids can go and swivel and find alternative accommodation as I choose not to allow them.

Rob

bookduck

I was happy excepting kids. Then the first and only one arrived on weekends, staying with her aunty. 4 months later the aunty moves on. the room looks fine but now find the door lock are loose on 2 doors and there is wax crayon on the walls. Now realise that the large 5 year old was swinging on the door handles breaking the fire door structure and the metal locks in the process

One fire door cost me £550 to have made and installed, while the other was £200.

Apparently LLs also have to make the home safe for the tenants, so if they have kids it is the LL job to fit safety devices, gates in the house, locks on bottom kitchen cupboards etc.

I now say no kids - yep you can call it discrimination I do not care, your not paying my bills

mrs-puff

They're entitled to some peace and quiet so I'm afraid those that choose to have kids can go and swivel and find alternative accommodation as I choose not to allow them.

What if the 'alternative accomodation' and I mean none, just isn't there for 1000's of families ? Where does the Uk go from there ?

I now say no kids - yep you can call it discrimination I do not care, your not paying my bills

And you aren't a homeless child.;) Priorties are going to have to be faced soon and 1000's of homeless children and families v's your 'extra safety measure' bills. Hmmmmmmm. Which one would you choose if you were in power, what's the vote winner ?

Wake up. There's a housing crisis on the horizon. Unemployment has risen at it's fastest level since 1992 and predicted to rise further. Many homeowners are already struggling to meet mortgage payments and remortgage at affordable levels. There will be a big rise in reposessions.. and nowhere to house them. You really think society as a whole will stand back while there are empty 2 and 3 bed houses available just because the landlord assumes his or her magnolia paint job might be smudged ?

Either that or landlords will also be hit so hard in the coming downturn paying their own mortgages that they'll be greatful to take anyone on who expresses an interest. Kids or not.

Either or the 'no kids' rule ? Will fall by the wayside one way or another IMHO.

You were a kid yourself once. Noisy, boisterous, messy and probably annoying on occasion to your neighbours. But I bet 100% that your parents didn't have to even think twice about facing this sort of crap keeping a roof over YOUR head, nor have anyone telling them that choosing to have YOU was a bad thing and to 'go swivel' for it. That much is patently obvious ! :rolleyes:

ps Two year olds do pick up all sorts of colourful phrases and sayings from outside influences. You seem to have a weird view of two year olds if you think they never embarrass their parents by coming out with said phrases at VERY inappropriate times. I'm sure her mother felt like falling through the floor when she heard her and ( if she did feel like knocking her across the room ) didn't feel like doing so in the company of strangers.

Captain_Mainwaring_2

mrs-puff wrote: »

What if the 'alternative accomodation' and I mean none, just isn't there for 1000's of families ? Where does the Uk go from there ?

And you aren't a homeless child.;) Priorties are going to have to be faced soon and 1000's of homeless children and families v's your 'extra safety measure' bills. Hmmmmmmm. Which one would you choose if you were in power, what's the vote winner ?

Wake up. There's a housing crisis on the horizon. Unemployment has risen at it's fastest level since 1992 and predicted to rise further. Many homeowners are already struggling to meet mortgage payments and remortgage at affordable levels. There will be a big rise in reposessions.. and nowhere to house them. You really think society as a whole will stand back while there are empty 2 and 3 bed houses available just because the landlord assumes his or her magnolia paint job might be smudged ?

Either that or landlords will also be hit so hard in the coming downturn paying their own mortgages that they'll be greatful to take anyone on who expresses an interest. Kids or not.

Either or the 'no kids' rule ? Will fall by the wayside one way or another IMHO.

You were a kid yourself once. Noisy, boisterous, messy and probably annoying on occasion to your neighbours. But I bet 100% that your parents didn't have to even think twice about facing this sort of crap keeping a roof over YOUR head, nor have anyone telling them that choosing to have YOU was a bad thing and to 'go swivel' for it. That much is patently obvious ! :rolleyes:

ps Two year olds do pick up all sorts of colourful phrases and sayings from outside influences. You seem to have a weird view of two year olds if you think they never embarrass their parents by coming out with said phrases at VERY inappropriate times. I'm sure her mother felt like falling through the floor when she heard her and ( if she did feel like knocking her across the room ) didn't feel like doing so in the company of strangers.

My parents didn't have kids they couldn't afford.
Affording kids is having a stable environment for them to live in, a goldfish bowl atop the TV does not count.

And no, kids weren't bloody obnoxious to the neighbours years ago - we got a clout for it.

Actually kids know very quickly about colourful language, so don't defend parents who allow it -

During the last crisis I never had any trouble renting out, so I assume this time won't be a problem either- and I don't give a toss about "society standing back" - if I don't want to rent it to someone, then I won't. You'd love to believe that all landlords won't be able to pay the mortgage, had you considered that some of us aren't impecunious and don't rent to prevent us losing money, that we rent to make money?

Time people stopped bleating and took some responsibility for their actions - having kids isn't like buying a pet rabbit.

Microstar_2

When I read some of the comments in this thread its like I've entered a parallel universe. There really are a lot of gimlet-eyed nutters around, aren't there? No wonder we have so many social problems in this country. And comments about 'knocking a 2 year old across the room' are simply beyond my comprehension.
Hopefully some of you will get the opportunity to reflect on your comments in 25 years time, when today's generation of small children are wiping away your dribble in the old folks home.

Captain_Mainwaring_2

mrs-puff wrote: »

I agree, it wasn't too long ago that an asian of black family that moved into an area was considered to be 'lowering the tone'. Remember 'Love Thy Neighbour' ?




Replace the words kids and children with asian. :rolleyes:

I bet this is what happened to a lot of those families 30 odd years ago. Thankfully we brought in laws to try and prevent this type of thing. Seems nowadays, as I briefly read through the cries of horror that some housing association tenants may be moving into the street or someone who has 3 kids.. that this is the new 'lowering of the tone' in 2008.
Yes people CHOOSE to have kids. But what they don't CHOOSE is to have their partner leave them, or to lose their job, or one parent to fall ill, or any number of 1000 reasons and circumstances why they lose their previous home. None of this is CHOICE. The children caught in the middle are the true innocents when things like this happen.

We have laws in this country that bar employers and businesses from discriminating on the basis that a woman is pregnant, or may become pregnant in the near future. Why on earth are landlords allowed to discriminate on the basis of 'having children' ? If they can pay the rent on time and keep the place decent what's the problem ?

There's discrimination on the basis that they are barred from even applying to a BUSINESS ( Landlord has of course registered as one for tax purposes ) for a home PURELY based on stereoypical and negative assumptions. With the acute shortage of social family homes, I think it's only a matter of time before someone takes this one all the way and sets a precedent. No council housing, an ecomonic downturn resulting in a huge rise in repos and families seeking tenancies does not equate to landlords refusing to accomodate children in their lettings. Someone somewhere will do something about it. Dog homes are busting at the seams thanks to the 'no dogs' rule. I don't think the goverment will allow childrens homes to go the same way.

Oh and


Wait till you've had a few yourself love. You might feel differently when you've got a 2 month old with colic and a three year old that want to re-enact the entire script from 'Cars' in the garden. But in 25 years time both will be tax-payers who'll be paying for your bus pass so comfort yourself with that.;)

Absolute and utter sh1te.

Love thy neighbour was 40 years ago - and I would say the silly brits are the most tolerant nation on earth. In two of the places I work and the place I live there are dedicated words to describe whites - and they are racist, my daughter has brown skin, but can't tell anyone in the UK lest they count it racist.


"wait till you've had a few love" - what on earth? it's not like passing wind you know, it isn't something random that just happens, people used to choose it, of course now, with people like you who reckon we all need to suffer for it, it does just happen, kids do just pop out because people know they won't be hungry and they will get a roof over their heads, and we all get to pay.

Dogs for what is worth are the same - people buy a dog without owning their own property? Unless they are prepared for some refusals from LL's then they are idiots and negligent.

Perhaps people need to make a bit more effort to make sure their relationships aren't throwaway as is the current fashion.

Captain_Mainwaring_2

Microstar wrote: »

When I read some of the comments in this thread its like I've entered a parallel universe. There really are a lot of gimlet-eyed nutters around, aren't there? No wonder we have so many social problems in this country. And comments about 'knocking a 2 year old across the room' are simply beyond my comprehension.
Hopefully some of you will get the opportunity to reflect on your comments in 25 years time, when today's generation of small children are wiping away your dribble in the old folks home.

As it is going, today's generation of small children will have either left the UK, or have mugged you first before wiping the dribble.

You may be lucky enough to have a child who just sits still without ever needing a smack, but some kids need it occasionally - nothing wrong with a bit of discipline - something now sadly forgotten.

Oh, and I still don't want kids in my house, because it is still my choice, not yours.

Microstar_2

Captain_Mainwaring wrote: »

As it is going, today's generation of small children will have either left the UK, or have mugged you first before wiping the dribble.

You may be lucky enough to have a child who just sits still without ever needing a smack, but some kids need it occasionally - nothing wrong with a bit of discipline - something now sadly forgotten.

Oh, and I still don't want kids in my house, because it is still my choice, not yours.

Brought up three kids and all doing very well in life thanks. Didn't need to knock any of 'em across a room.

I've read a few of your posts and reckon its about time you pulled your head out of your own backside and looked around at the world. You sound like the kind of old degenerate that sits on a park bench composing a letter of complaint to the local council because you can hear kids laughing. How do you manage to get out of bed each morning with such a negative view of life?

mrs-puff

what on earth? it's not like passing wind you know, it isn't something random that just happens, people used to choose it, of course now, with people like you who reckon we all need to suffer for it, it does just happen, kids do just pop out because people know they won't be hungry and they will get a roof over their heads, and we all get to pay.

You don't know anything about me or my choices. And you missed the point I was making completely.. :rolleyes: I wasn't disputing the CHOICE aspect of having children. I was talking about the lack of choice when it comes to unfortunate circumstances hitting hard working, and decent families right between the eyes when they least expect it. And, the fact that these unfortunate circumstances are more likely to happen given the current economic climate. They will have to seek tenancies.

Where are they all going to live ?

people buy a dog without owning their own property? Unless they are prepared for some refusals from LL's then they are idiots and negligent.

Again completely missing the point. The dog was bought when they did own their own property. But unfortunate unforseen circumstances mean..well.. are you seeing a pattern here yet ?

Try applying a little logic and foresight to the debate and look a bit further into what's happening now instead of concentrating on your own little NIMB-TL (to let) world in-between slapping your children around.

Ps sorry I was out by 10 years on the 'Love Thy Neighbour' thing but it was before my time.