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Anti-Discrimination Policy

Last updated: January 2025

Rents.ie has zero tolerance for discrimination. All listings must comply with Irish equality legislation.

1. Our Commitment

Rents.ie is committed to promoting equal access to housing for everyone. We actively work to prevent discriminatory practices on our platform and ensure all users are treated with dignity and respect.

2. Legal Framework

In Ireland, discrimination in the provision of accommodation is prohibited under:

  • Equal Status Acts 2000-2018
  • Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014
  • Housing (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2009 (regarding HAP)

These laws protect people from discrimination on the following grounds:

3. Protected Characteristics

It is illegal to discriminate against tenants based on:

  • Gender: Including pregnancy and maternity
  • Civil Status: Single, married, separated, divorced, widowed, civil partnership
  • Family Status: Being a parent or having responsibility for a person under 18
  • Sexual Orientation: Heterosexual, homosexual, or bisexual
  • Religion: Religious belief or lack thereof
  • Age: Anyone over 18 years of age
  • Disability: Physical, intellectual, learning, mental health, or emotional disabilities
  • Race: Including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
  • Membership of the Traveller Community
  • Housing Assistance: It is illegal to refuse HAP, Rent Supplement, or similar housing payments

4. Prohibited Phrases

The following types of language are not permitted in listings:

4.1 Family Status

Not allowed: "No children", "Adults only", "Child-free", "No families", "Professional couple only"

4.2 Nationality/Ethnicity

Not allowed: "Irish only", "No foreigners", "Locals only", "Irish nationals only", "No immigrants"

4.3 Housing Assistance

Not allowed: "No HAP", "No social welfare", "No rent allowance", "Working professionals only", "Must be employed"

4.4 Age

Not allowed: "Under 30s only", "Young professionals", "No over 50s"

4.5 Religion

Not allowed: "Christians only", "No Muslims", or any religious preference

5. Legitimate Requirements

Landlords may set reasonable, non-discriminatory requirements such as:

  • References from previous landlords or employers
  • Proof of ability to pay rent (income documentation)
  • No smoking inside the property
  • Restrictions on pets (subject to some exceptions)
  • Maximum occupancy limits based on property size

These requirements must be applied consistently to all applicants.

6. Room Shares Exception

For room shares where the landlord lives in the property, there is a limited exemption allowing a preference for a person of a particular gender. This must be stated as a preference, not a requirement.

Acceptable: "Female preferred for room in shared house with 2 other women"

7. Our Enforcement

Rents.ie takes the following steps to prevent discrimination:

  • Automated Filtering: Listings are screened for discriminatory language before publication
  • Manual Review: All listings are reviewed by our moderation team
  • User Reports: We investigate reported discriminatory content promptly
  • Removal: Discriminatory listings are rejected or removed immediately
  • Suspension: Users who repeatedly post discriminatory content will be banned

8. If You Experience Discrimination

If you believe you have been discriminated against:

  1. Report to us: Use the "Report Listing" feature or email reports@rents.ie
  2. Document everything: Save messages, listing details, and any evidence
  3. Contact Threshold: Free advice at threshold.ie or 1800 454 454
  4. File a complaint: Contact the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission
  5. Legal action: You may be entitled to compensation under the Equal Status Acts

9. Resources

10. Contact

To report discriminatory content or for questions about this policy, contact reports@rents.ie.