Renting a Room when you are gay

Dorothy60

GDB2222 wrote: »

I think the big question is whether you plan to bring your partner back to your room? The owners are renting the room to you, they'll have met you, and they'll have decided that they are happy enough having you in their home. If suddenly they discover a complete stranger in the house one morning, because you've brought your partner back for the night, that's a potential problem.

It's clear that you need to establish the ground rules very clearly before moving in, but I really don't think you need to start the conversation with a statement about your sexuality. It's a bit OTT to do that. The ground rules would cover lots of things, such as cooking very fragrant foods, and visitors generally, not just overnight.

I'm not sure how people renting out a room handle this, generally? Do they rent out the room with a single bed, in which case I guess they are giving a message that overnight visitors are unwelcome? Or do they have a double bed, but rent the room to couples, in which case they'll want to meet both partners before signing the lodger agreement?

I have a couple of flats I rent out, but that's completely different, and I don't care about sexual orientation. In my own house, I personally would not care, but I can see that others might. Curiously, I abhor tattoos and piercings, so I would have difficulty renting a room to someone with lots of those on display!

This exactly re tattoos and piercings!! I have adult children all left home now and would welcome a gay person into my home. Stereotypes I know but my younger self knew lots of gay singles and couples and they were lovely. Very respectful and didn’t flaunt their sexuality. I know there will be some equally lovely individuals with tattoos and piercings but I just Can’t understand why someone would deface their body in this way and don’t like to see it

davidmcn

AdrianC wrote: »

Are you sure about that?

As sure as I can be for this time on a Sunday.

s.38(9) brings in the exceptions from Schedule 5.

Para 3(2) of Schedule 5 says "Sections 33(1), 34(1) and 35(1) [i.e. the general prohibition against discriminating in the disposal and management of the premises] apply only in so far as they relate to race". So the other protected characteristics are fair game (assuming the premises meet the Sch. 5 definition of small premises with resident landlord).

GDB2222

In practice, the landlord doesn't need to give a reason for not tAking someone. So, it doesn't matter whether it's illegal discrimination. It's impossible to prove.

robinwales

I am looking to rent a room within the next few months

Did you mean LET a room? It's your house, yes?

Alan2020

I feel for you and to be honest very hard.
I for the record am straight but people have and do discriminate me for what I look like. Been called names, been egged by about 20eggs recently on the tube station (everyone acts as they don’t see). Been removed from positions at work with made up rules to prevent my progression.

So my advice to you is the law will barely protect you if a homophobic person kills or seriously injures you. Just see how they react and see if they do offer or not. I think it’s easy for those who are not discriminated to rabbit on about equality and the law but for the vast majority of discriminated groups the reality is far different.

Good luck and do remember lots of ethical and fair people are there as well

AdrianC

Alan2020 wrote: »

...but people have and do discriminate me for what I look like

Can I ask what it is about your appearance that causes such reactions?

Littleonesunshine

I hate questions like this, because it’s annoying that a sexual preference should be an issue.

Having said that, if you are sharing a house with someone it’s a personal arrangement (unless it’s a HMO or landlord doesn’t live there) so just drop a hint like - “my long term bf would be visiting for X weekend. Do you allow him to stay or would we have to make alternative arrangements”.

Ngozi

As stated, when you do your advert for the room, make it obvious and subtle;

"Hi, i'm Dave and looking to rent out room etc... sometimes on weekends my partner Bob might visit."

If anything, you might have an advantage renting out your room, some woman might feel more comfortable renting from someone who is gay.

robinwales

Ngozi wrote: »

As stated, when you do your advert for the room, make it obvious and subtle;

"Hi, i'm Dave and looking to rent out room etc... sometimes on weekends my partner Bob might visit."

'Bob' could be a hypocorism of Roberta (female) as well as Robert (male)?

Slithery

robinwales wrote: »

'Bob' could be a hypocorism of Roberta (female) as well as Robert (male)?

Bob from Blackadder springs to mind...