10 years of the Equality Act in housing: Where next? - Part 1

10 years of the Equality Act in housing: Where next?

Monday 9 November 2020 | 3pm

In its first 10 years the Equality Act 2010 has made a significant contribution in the field of housing. The Act has become particularly well-established in some areas. In others, however, the Act’s potential remains less well-explored.

In these two seminars, members of Doughty Street’s Housing and Social Welfare team will consider four possible areas for future development: (i) indirect discrimination against tenants and potential tenants, (ii) landlords’ responsibility for victimisation and harassment, (iii) positive action in housing and (iv) discrimination claims in homelessness cases.

Part 1: Indirect discrimination against tenants, and landlords’ liability for victimisation and harassment

Alice Irving (Chair), Daniel Clarke and John Hobson

Although there have been a number of cases considering tenants’ defences to possession claims on the basis of disability discrimination under section 15 EA 2010, there have been relatively few cases considering other types of discrimination. Daniel Clarke will consider how arguments relating to indirect discrimination under section 19 EA 2010 might be used by tenants and potential tenants.

Anti-social behaviour within the housing context raises many challenges. Alongside the common law and a mosaic of statutory provisions concerning the rights of landlords and tenants alike, John Hobson will explore what the Equality Act 2010 might bring to matters of harassment and victimisation.

To access the slides, please click here. 

Watch the recording below.