What is an equality claim?

What exactly is an equality claim?

In October 2010, a new Equality Act came into force to provide a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and advance equality of opportunity for all.

The Equality Act 2010 stands to protect people from discrimination. It covers:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex or sexual orientation

Under this act, if you have ill-health or a disability, you are entitled to request adaptations to your home.

What is considered a breach of the Equality Act?

The circumstances are endless but can include:

• If you have a disability and your landlord has not made the necessary adaptations for your home
• If you consider yourself to have a mental illness and this has been exacerbated by your poor housing conditions
• If you aren’t a native English speaker or if Britain is not your native country and your landlord has not clearly explained your housing rights or has taken advantage of you
• If you are a single parent and have children who live in unsafe housing conditions with no help from your landlord

Public bodies and companies, such as local councils and housing associations, have a further duty to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other prohibited conduct
• Advance equality of opportunity
• Foster good relations

Ready to make a claim? Contact our team on 0808 273 0900 for free advice or read more on how to make an equality claim here