Manchester Student Denied Accommodation in Shocking Email Exchange Exposing Racism in Renting

A Shocking Email Reveals Racism in Renting

Bulbul, a 29-year-old PhD student in Manchester, was looking for accommodation when she stumbled upon a shocking email exchange that shed light on the racism prevalent in the renting market.

Bulbul had inquired about a two-bedroom house on SpareRoom when she received an email from someone she believes to be the landlord. The email contained offensive and discriminatory remarks, stating that people from the "Indian subcontinent" would not be accepted because they "lie too much" and "practise deceit."

The email went on to claim that the majority of landlords don't offer tenancy to people from the subcontinent, and if they do, they ask for two UK guarantors or six months' rent upfront. These extra requirements were "self-inflicted by the aforesaid students/professionals," the email added.

Bulbul was devastated by the email. "The moment I received it, I was completely shattered," she said. "I lost faith in the housing system in the UK. I thought, 'I am going to be discriminated against like this over and over again'."

This incident is not an isolated one. Generation Rent, a campaign group, conducted research that found minority ethnic renters under 30 were 18% more likely than white respondents to have moved away from the area they grew up in. The research also found that minority ethnic respondents were more than twice as likely to have moved out of the area because it had become too expensive.

"Many young people, especially ethnic minority young people, are being forced to make these decisions because they cannot afford any other alternative," said Ben Twomey, chief executive of Generation Rent. "This cannot continue."

The research also found that white profiles were 36% more likely to receive a positive response when applying to rent online than Black people.

"This report clearly shows many young people are suffering in the rental market – and that minority ethnic people are facing more exacerbated or specific challenges to their quality of life," said Banseka Kayembe, director of Naked Politics.

SpareRoom, the platform where Bulbul found the advertisement, has a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination. "It's illegal for anyone renting property in any form to discriminate based on race or nationality," said Matt Hutchinson, director of SpareRoom. "We take discrimination extremely seriously and we will always take action to close the accounts of anyone who breaks the law."

This incident highlights the urgent need to address racism in the renting market. It is crucial to create a fair and equitable system where everyone has equal access to housing, regardless of their background.