Yes – it is lawful to ask basic pre-qualifying questions before a viewing, provided the questions are non-discriminatory and applied equally to every applicant.
Agents cannot ask questions about:
- Protected Characteristics: Age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation.
- Benefits and Children: It is illegal to discriminate against prospective tenants because they receive benefits or have children.
- Excessive Private Data: Asking for sensitive documents like full bank statements or criminal records.
We hate forms too! and collect the least amount of data required to ensure the property meets the needs of the prospective tenant, the tenant meets the landlord’s requirements and the tenancy complies with the rule of law e.g. space standards. Finally, carrying out these simple checks beforehand ensures we do not waste your time viewing a property that is not suitable 🙂
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