A COUNCIL form that asks landlords to provide their sexuality, religion and ethnicity has been described as 'obscene'. Landlords across North Somerset have been sent the Equalities Monitoring form. Housing bosses say they have to carry out equality survey
A COUNCIL form that asks landlords to provide their sexuality, religion and ethnicity has been described as 'obscene'.Landlords across North Somerset have been sent the Equalities Monitoring form.Housing bosses say they have to carry out equality surveys as part of a national directive and the form is voluntary.But some councillors say the forms will cause a problem and they have nothing to do with being a registered private landlord.The form asks if the applicant is lesbian, gay, bisexual or heterosexual. Another section asks whether they are aged 15 or under.Councillor Peter Bryant said: "The council has no right whatsoever to ask these obscene questions and if they did it would be a mandatory form."I don't understand what someone's race, religion or sexuality has to do with being a good landlord."Councillor Isabel Cummings, executive member for housing, said: "It's part of the Government information gathering process. We're required to do this equality assessment by the Government and the form has been approved across the West of England.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here