Cross-Party Motion agreed to be taken as such by the four group leaders

This Council notes that:

·       The private rented sector (PRS) in Oxford has grown to 49.3% (2020) of homes in the city, one of the largest PRS populations of any housing authority in England;

·       Private renters face a host of challenges, including disrepair and lack of affordable rent;

·       Tenants in receipt of housing benefit or universal credit also face the prospect of ‘DSS discrimination’[1];

·       ‘No DSS’ policies have been found to be unlawful and discriminatory under the Equality Act but are still widespread.

This Council observes that: 

·       Some landlords and letting agents overtly practice DSS discrimination, e.g. by listing properties as ‘no DSS’ on websites; 

·       More often, landlords and letting agents covertly discriminate against benefits claimants, e.g. by using affordability or referencing checks that automatically fail benefit recipients, by systematically favouring non-benefit claimants when assessing tenancy applications, by demanding guarantors when a prospective tenant’s income (be it from benefits or employment) is sufficient, etc.; 

·       Despite alleviating measures such as the council tax reduction scheme, people are struggling financially. More people rely on benefits due to the pandemic, so the effects of DSS discrimination are now particularly widespread.

This Council defends the right to decent housing, and will work to eliminate DSS discrimination from Oxford by asking Cabinet to take the following steps where possible: 

·       Revise the OCLAS code[2], adding the following wording: ‘you must not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, language, sexuality or any other factor that might place an individual at a disadvantage. This includes indirect discrimination such as ‘no DSS’ or related practices, namely refusing to let prospective tenants on housing benefit or universal credit view affordable properties and requiring guarantors in cases where a prospective tenant’s income is sufficient’;

·       Advertise and ensure that the Welfare Reform Team will look out for and follow up on reported cases of discrimination;

·       Ensure that duty housing officers are informed about the issue and refer cases to the Welfare Reform Team and independent advice centres;

·       Establish a permanent “tenants’ forum”, which should:

• Be composed of community groups and stakeholders representing tenants, both in private and council housing; 
• Be invited to consult directly with the Housing and Homelessness Panel bi-annually at least and whenever decisions significantly impacting the rental sector come before Council;

·       Use official communication and media activities to improve awareness, as well as denouncing discrimination against benefits claimants clearly on the Council website, with a dedicated page detailing ways to recognise DSS discrimination and what actions to take in response

This Council asks that the Housing and Homelessness Panel consider this issue, monitor actions taken to address it, and make recommendations accordingly.

Council recognises that DSS discrimination is one obstacle among many for those on benefits accessing housing.

Council asks that the Leader write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, calling for benefit levels to be raised and uprated in line with rents so they are realistic for places like Oxford, and for the household benefit cap to be removed.

Cllr Thomas, seconded by Cllr Jarvis,  proposed the submitted motion as set out in the agenda and briefing note.

After debate and on being put to the vote the motion was agreed.

Council resolved to adopt the following motion:

This Council notes that:

·         The private rented sector (PRS) in Oxford has grown to 49.3% (2020) of homes in the city, one of the largest PRS populations of any housing authority in England;

·         Private renters face a host of challenges, including disrepair and lack of affordable rent;

·         Tenants in receipt of housing benefit or universal credit also face the prospect of ‘DSS discrimination’[1];

·         ‘No DSS’ policies have been found to be unlawful and discriminatory under the Equality Act but are still widespread.

This Council observes that: 

·         Some landlords and letting agents overtly practice DSS discrimination, e.g. by listing properties as ‘no DSS’ on websites; 

·         More often, landlords and letting agents covertly discriminate against benefits claimants, e.g. by using affordability or referencing checks that automatically fail benefit recipients, by systematically favouring non-benefit claimants when assessing tenancy applications, by demanding guarantors when a prospective tenant’s income (be it from benefits or employment) is sufficient, etc.; 

·         Despite alleviating measures such as the council tax reduction scheme, people are struggling financially. More people rely on benefits due to the pandemic, so the effects of DSS discrimination are now particularly widespread.

This Council defends the right to decent housing, and will work to eliminate DSS discrimination from Oxford by asking Cabinet to take the following steps where possible: 

·         Revise the OCLAS code[2], adding the following wording: ‘you must not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, language, sexuality or any other factor that might place an individual at a disadvantage. This includes indirect discrimination such as ‘no DSS’ or related practices, namely refusing to let prospective tenants on housing benefit or universal credit view affordable properties and requiring guarantors in cases where a prospective tenant’s income is sufficient’;

·         Advertise and ensure that the Welfare Reform Team will look out for and follow up on reported cases of discrimination;

·         Ensure that duty housing officers are informed about the issue and refer cases to the Welfare Reform Team and independent advice centres;

·         Establish a permanent “tenants’ forum”, which should:

• Be composed of community groups and stakeholders representing tenants, both in private and council housing; 
• Be invited to consult directly with the Housing and Homelessness Panel bi-annually at least and whenever decisions significantly impacting the rental sector come before Council;

·         Use official communication and media activities to improve awareness, as well as denouncing discrimination against benefits claimants clearly on the Council website, with a dedicated page detailing ways to recognise DSS discrimination and what actions to take in response.

This Council asks that the Housing and Homelessness Panel consider this issue, monitor actions taken to address it, and make recommendations accordingly.

Council recognises that DSS discrimination is one obstacle among many for those on benefits accessing housing.

Council asks that the Leader write to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, calling for benefit levels to be raised and uprated in line with rents so they are realistic for places like Oxford, and for the household benefit cap to be removed.