A COUPLE who are desperately searching for housing have had an application in Edinburgh rejected due to them having a child.
The pair have rallied against the housing market after they and their infant child were rejected from renting the £1,025-a-month property on Roseneath Terrace in the Scottish capital.
The parents applied to the property but upon rejection, pushed for a reason why – only to find out that they were denied housing because of their kid.
The landlord stated through their letting agent, At Home in Edinburgh, that the ground floor property would not be “suitable for a child” but failed to expand any further on why that was the case.
The parents were left enraged by the rejection email taking to social media to suggest their human rights had been infringed on.
They have been desperately searching for housing for months now and are facing repeated rejections because landlords appear not to want to rent to a couple with a baby.
In an angry, anonymous post to social media yesterday one of the parents said: “This is absurd and illogical as landlords are so heartless that they don’t allow an infant baby to stay in a flat.
“Where are those human rights? Are there no rights for babies? Is giving birth to a baby a curse in the UK?
“Absolutely ridiculous and hurtful situation for me and my family that we can’t rent out a flat due to an infant baby.
“It’s our first baby and for the last month or so nobody is ready to rent out a flat. Agencies are more cruel.”
The parents have been encouraged to fight the decision with Scots law preventing landlords from rejecting applicants who have children unless they are concerned about overcrowding.
Social media users encouraged them to contact the property ombudsman to fight the unfair rejection.
The property on Roseneath Terrace, Marchmont, is still on the market with the letting agent describing it as: “This ground floor furnished property is located in a prime spot in the popular area of Marchmont.
“Marchmont is a residential area to the south of the city centre with a selection of locally owned shops, cafes and restaurants.
“It is a quiet area next to the Meadows (one of Edinburgh’s large parks) which separates it from Edinburgh’s Old Town.
“It is also within easy walking distance of nearby Bruntsfield, Newington, Tollcross and Morningside.
“The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links are bustling with activity during the summer months and offer play parks, tennis courts and a bowling green.
“Other green spaces nearby include Arthur’s Seat, Salisbury Crags, Blackford Pond and the Hermitage of Braid.”
A spokesperson for the letting agent today (MON) said: “The property in Roseneath Terrace is a one-bedroom tenement flat; as one of the smaller properties that we manage, it is not an appropriate size for a family.
“There is ongoing high demand for private rental properties in Edinburgh, and we appreciate that this leads to frustration for those looking for a rental property.
“We wish the family all the best in their property search.”
