A court has ruled that "no DSS" policies by landlords or letting agents are indirect discrimination, because a disproportionately high number of women and disabled people are in receipt of benefits. The ruling related to a tenant on benefits who had a particularly strong advantage (good reference, guaranator and able to pay 6 months up front), so it was not the normal tenant on benefits situation where even a deposit and initial rent can be a problem. However, it is unclear going forward how agents and landlords are supposed to select the best tenants whilst adhering to the law - would accepting a professional couple on £70,000 pa over a single parent and child with no income other than benefits be illegal? 

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