Homeowners are illegally advertising ‘Muslim only’ flats in parts of East London, as politicians condemned the listings as ‘disgusting and anti-British’.
Apartments in Woodford, Stratford, and Leyton are being advertised exclusively for Muslims, according to online advertisements and social media posts.
The phrase ‘Muslims only’ is strictly prohibited in ads, but is still being used by live-in landlords to guarantee they receive applications from those of the same faith.
Others get around the prohibition by expressing their preference for a Muslim individual, which is permitted, but only for those renting out a room in the home where they reside.
Among those leading outrage at the ads was Robert Jenrick, Reform UK’s economic spokesman, who said on X: ‘These adverts are disgusting and anti-British.
‘It goes without saying that there would be a national outrage if the tables were turned. Is anything going to happen, or is this now acceptable in two-tier Britain?’
Tory frontbencher Sir James Cleverly described the ads as ‘plainly unacceptable’ and called on ministers to ‘urgently ensure the rules are enforced properly’.
The shadow housing secretary said: ‘This is plainly unacceptable. Discriminating against tenants on the basis of religion is unlawful under the Equality Act and has no place in our housing market.’
‘Reports of “Muslim only” rental listings in London are a failure of enforcement and a breach of the law, which undermines fairness for all renters. Ministers must urgently ensure the rules are enforced properly and that those flouting them face consequences.’
Due to equality rules, landlords and rental agencies are prohibited from advertising their properties for a certain faith, but the rules are more relaxed for ads written by flatmates and people with lodgers, because they are entitled to have a preference on their new flatmate’s religion.
Those expressing a religious preference are advised to explain it clearly and without exclusionary wording – meaning they cannot say that the room is for ‘Muslims only.’
They can, however, state a preferred flatmate, and thus an acceptable statement might be: ‘This is a halal household, so we’d prefer a Muslim housemate.’
One homeowner who advertised a room in a ‘Muslim flat’ in East London has insisted he is not racist, telling the Daily Mail he was merely highlighting ‘a cultural thing’ when he rented out ‘a luxurious single room in a shared male Muslim house’.
The man, who did not wish to be named, said he did not want to ‘discriminate against anybody’, saying: ‘It’s my house. It’s not discrimination. In this house we are Muslim’.
He might not want to discriminate, but he has, and it’s illegal. You just couldn’t make this stuff up, could you? But we are now past the point of no return, because nothing will be done about it. I wonder what would happen if we advertised our homes, but only to Christian faith people. Honestly, I’m just curious.
I’ll tell you what would happen. There would be demonstrations out on the streets, and we would be named and shamed, and the police would turn up in their droves.
The UK stands for the United Kingdom, well, at least it was once, but don’t worry, just be happy! However, the worm is turning, and it’s time for the British people to take back control, because what is going on is despicable. This is British, not a Muslim, country. It doesn’t belong to them, it belongs to us!
THE MONTHLY MOSQUITO 