Rights of people living with a terminal illness

Mel73

A friend of mine has lung cancer. It won't get better but has been prevented from growing further with drugs. He is living with his ex wife and wants to move out. I can understand why he can't get a mortgage, but is it true that you are unable to rent a private property when you have such a diagnosis. He has been told this by a letting agency. If so, what options does he have for moving out.

housebuyer143

This isn't true. If he's on benefits then he's going to struggle to get landlord to take him on, but his health doesn't have any impact on him getting a rental in theory 

theartfullodger

Sorry to hear this. Which country - eg NI, Wales??

THAT agency may decline to rent to such a person but I'm very confident there is no general rule, regulation or law stating such an individual is excluded from rent somewhere from a private landlord.  (Been a landlord since 2000, Scotland and England, never heard of such a condition). In my opinion this agency should be shut down immediately and the directors disbarred from being a director.  IMHO we don't want toads like this in our country.. disgraceful.

In my opinion a private landlord can choose to rent to whoever: My best ever tenants had no financial or renting history but a neighbour of mine said "Mr Artful they very nice people"(exact words).  They were, That was enough for me. 

Is he registered on the local council housing register?? e.g. see.. e.g. (he'll have another local council probably)
https://www.slough.gov.uk/housing/apply-council-home

- v v likely his condition may get him priority for council or housing association properties. 

Would also suggest he contacts adult social services and see what they can do to help. see e.g. 
https://www.slough.gov.uk/adult-social-care

& he should go see his local Citizens Advice and see what they suggest. see..
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us/

Has he applied for PiP?? Suggest he sees if any other benefits he's entitled to.. - see
https://www.gov.uk/benefits-calculators.

There are special benefits for those approaching end of life, but sounds like that's not him(?). Does he/can he work?? Would he be considered disabled?? Discrimination against the disabled is unlawful - see
https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/equality/equality-act-2010/your-rights-under-equality-act-2010/disability-discrimination
- but interestingly it's OK to discriminate IN FAVOUR of the disabled. 

We're all gonna go sometime.. (I'm 76... )

Best wishes to you both and good luck. I'm sure others will be along with more helpful advice.

ognum

My question is how would the letting agency know his diagnosis.   Providing he has income or savings to pay rent and can be prove that then his diagnosis is of no relevance.

I have a friend who is terminally ill. He has chosen to sell his home and rent.  He has not told the landlord his diagnosis. He has savings and income and no problem renting.

theoretica

Having cancer is counted as a disability, so this sounds like potentially a case of illegal discrimination.  Did they by any chance put the refusal in writing?

propertyrental

As ognum says - no need to tell the LL or their agent.

However I wonder if they asked about his income/employment (a common question) and he said he was not working and volunteered the information? If he's not working/able to work, that will put off many LLs - it's financial background they look at, not medical - though I guess if his income is benefits based on his condition then the whole story might come out.

Best to focus on his income and savings, and if that's a problem is there someone he could offer as a guarantor?