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