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Discrimination: the excesses of certain real estate agencies
When rentals become rare, it is even more complicated to find an apartment if you have a name of foreign origin. Associations denounce it and demonstrate it by conducting tests in real estate agencies. – (France 2)
When rentals become rare, it is even more complicated to find an apartment if you have a name of foreign origin. Associations denounce it and demonstrate it by conducting tests in real estate agencies.
A foreign name or skin color can bar access to housing. A student who applied for a roommate with a friend with a French-sounding name claims to have been the victim of discrimination. The manager seemed ready to sign, when everything stopped. “He receives the identity card of my roommate, that of his mother, mine, Ryad, and that of my father Mohammed. And that’s when he becomes more and more reluctant (…) the day before the signing, he said ‘we’re canceling everything'”says the young man.
Three years in prison and 45,000 euros fine
According to a survey by SOS Racisme, 25% of real estate agencies are ready to refuse certain profiles at the request of owners. This discrimination is prohibited by law and is punishable by three years in prison and a fine of 45,000 euros. However, every day, victims call the Defender of Rights on a dedicated line. Most cases are handled through mediation, others go to court.
Among our sources:
Report on discrimination in France – Observatory of Inequalities
The Defender of Rights
House of Equality
Non-exhaustive list.
