A recent US study indicates that same-sex couples are discriminated against when it comes to renting, particularly gay men.

The study, which took place across 50 metropolitan markets with nearly 7,000 email tests, identified that straight couples took preference over lesbian couples by 15.6% and gay men by 15.9%.

The Fair Housing Act means that rental sales cannot discriminate based on race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, disability and familial status.

Discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation is not included in the act.

The testing involved sending a pair of emails to enquire about online rental listening, the only difference in the emails being the sexual orientation of the enquiring couples.

Measurements used to assess discrimination included whether the applicant was invited to view the property, given a response at all, whether they were told the availability of the property and whether they were asked to contact the landlord.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), whom conducted the research, said in a statement released with the report, “This study shows we need to continue our efforts to ensure that everyone is treated the same, when it comes to finding a home to call their own, regardless of their sexual orientation”.

Nadine Walker