A Telegraph investigation has uncovered a number of illegal online listings revealing widespread discrimination in the UK housing market
Landlords across London and the south-east of Britain are illegally advertising properties exclusively to Muslim tenants, in a clear breach of Britain’s equality laws, according to an investigation published by The Telegraph on Wednesday.
The listings posted in several groups on Facebook and Telegram were found to include phrases like “Only Muslims,” “Only for Muslims” “For 2 Muslim boys or 2 Muslim girls,” And “Suitable for a Punjabi boy.” Some advertisements also sought tenants who spoke Punjabi or Gujarati, or from specific Indian regions.
As the outlet noted, the posting appears to violate the UK’s Equality Act 2010, which explicitly prohibits discrimination based on religion or belief, race and other protected characteristics. Landlords could face civil action and fines of up to £7,000 ($9,445) for discriminatory listings.
The Telegraph found advertisements posted in several parts of the British capital. The outlet contacted several landlords, all of whom flatly refused to consider non-Muslim tenants. One man advertising a room at £850 ($1,150) per month told reporters “go away.”
“These ads are disgusting and anti-British,” Reform UK economic spokesman Robert Jenrick told the newspaper. “Needless to say, there would be national outrage if the tables were turned.” He emphasized that “All forms of racism are unacceptable, and no religious group should be given special immunity to discriminate in this way.”
A government spokesperson told The Express that any discrimination “Illegal, including rental areas,” And landlords who violate the law will face consequences. However, the authorities have not yet announced any concrete response to the scam.
The controversy comes amid wider demographic changes in Britain, where Muslims now number about 4 million, or about 6.5% of the total population. In some parts of London the figure exceeds 40%.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the name Muhammad has been the most popular name for boys in England and Wales for two years in a row, with more than 5,000 boys given the name in 2024 alone.
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