Manchester Withington MP Jeff Smith has backed Shelter’s campaign to ban letting agents and landlords from discriminating against people who claim housing benefit.

The campaign aims to highlight that many landlords and agents are routinely preventing people on housing benefit from applying for private rented properties. Shelter believe that renters on benefits should be treated fairly and that every application should be considered on a case by case basis in relation to what people can afford.

Speaking in support of the campaign, Jeff said:

“It is shocking that one in three renters receiving housing benefit haven’t been able to rent a home due to these discriminatory practices.

Letting agents are excluding people on housing benefit, despite the fact that many can afford to pay rent. This discriminatory policy is pushing people closer to homelessness and there is no excuse for it to continue.”