Legality of retirement properties

inatdeepend

Is there any legal basis for allowing housing to be age discriminatory?

If so then could I be permitted to allow other forms of discrimination e.g. a whites only block of flats, or a lesbian only group of cottages?

booksurr

and your beef is what exactly?
live and let live

Jenniefour

What do you think is unjust and unfair in catering for a particular vulnerable client group, the retired and elderly who have decided that they need services more geared to their needs?

inatdeepend

Perhaps I wasn't clear - I am asking purely about the legality, not the morality.

Jenniefour

Take a look at the Equality Act 2010. https://www.gov.uk/equality-act-2010-guidance

theartfullodger

Of course it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of age. Go ahead, take them to court.

However I have read that E A 2010 (32)(1) says it's OK: Can't work it out myself.. (I'm old, brain don't work no more.....)

Or it may be that the properties will be leasehold & a condition of the lease is occupants aged over xx years: Dunno!

haras_nosirrah

Of course it's not illegal to discriminate in housing based on age.

Otherwise you get the scenarios of -

If a 40 year old wants to live in a children's home he should be entitled to do so. If a 20 year old wants to live in a warden assisted property then it is ageist to prevent it.

Most of these places have age limits for a good reason

Guest101

haras_nosirrah wrote: »

Of course it's not illegal to discriminate in housing based on age.

Otherwise you get the scenarios of -

If a 40 year old wants to live in a children's home he should be entitled to do so. If a 20 year old wants to live in a warden assisted property then it is ageist to prevent it.

Most of these places have age limits for a good reason

You're right, but you shouldn't provide moral or logical reasons for this, there are very valid legal reasons surrounding this.

Much like employment law, whereby exceptions are made based on the licensing requirements of businesses to exempt those under 18.

agrinnall

theartfullodger wrote: »

Of course it is unlawful to discriminate on the basis of age. Go ahead, take them to court.

However I have read that E A 2010 (32)(1) says it's OK: Can't work it out myself.. (I'm old, brain don't work no more.....)

Or it may be that the properties will be leasehold & a condition of the lease is occupants aged over xx years: Dunno!

I dunno either, but if your last point is valid then what would stop the lease including other discriminatory conditions? I'd have to assume there is something that specifically allows age discrimination in this situation (disclaimer: I haven't read E A 2010 (32)(1)).

As it happens I was browsing bungalows on Right Move today, and a few of them were stated to be "retirement" for over 55s - well, I'm over 55 (although not retired, can't afford to be), but I really wouldn't want to be living in a community where everyone considers themselves old at 55.

theartfullodger

There used to be an "Over 50's" cafe near us which we used as there were no screaming children there (we're both 65+). After talking to the manager i concluded that was definitely illegal but nobody challenged it, AFAIK.

Still dunno with retirement properties though: I'm emailing McCarthy-Stone and asking them the legal basis (bet they don;t know either..)

anselld

I guess it comes under "objective justification" ....

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/your-rights/equal-rights/age/when-age-discrimination-lawful