Equality Act discrimination prohibitions — landlord obligations in England
The Equality Act 2010 prohibits you from discriminating, harassing, or victimising anyone in the letting or managing a rental property on grounds of protected characteristics (age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, etc.). This applies to landlords granting tenancies, those whose permission is needed (e.g. freeholders), and those managing premises. You must also make reasonable adjustments for disabled persons on request.
The law that creates this obligation
Your obligations as a landlord
- Who this applies to: Landlords who grant tenancies, those whose consent is needed to grant a tenancy (such as freeholders or superior landlords), and those who manage premises. Most private landlords fall under at least two of these categories.
- When it applies: Continuously in all letting and management activities.
- What you must do: No positive action required but you must self-attest that you are complying by maintaining letting and management records. Where a disabled tenant requests a reasonable adjustment, consider and make that adjustment where it is reasonable to do so.
What good evidence looks like
Your compliance file should contain
- Written record or document confirming this obligation has been met
- Date of compliance — email timestamp, signed receipt, or platform log
- FastPass available: Self-attestation is sufficient because no documentary evidence is required by law for this continuous prohibition.
Self-attest that you have not discriminated, harassed, or victimised anyone, and that you have made reasonable adjustments as required.
Record this obligation in your LettingsLedger workspace
Upload evidence, set reminders, and build a timestamped compliance record — all in one place.
Consequences of non-compliance
Civil claim in county court with unlimited compensation and an injunction possible.
Further reading for landlords
LettingsLedger is a compliance evidence governance platform. It is not a legal services provider and does not provide legal advice. Content is derived from UK primary legislation at legislation.gov.uk and official GOV.UK sources. Reflects the position as at June 2026. A GovProtocol product by Pertheo Limited.