A mother of eight from Queensland who has accused real-estate agents and landlords of discriminating against single mothers claims that the practise is widespread.
When the floods occurred earlier this year, Nicole Kent was forced to look for a new place to call home just as the competition for rentals increased.
She claimed that she had contacted over 600 landlords before she was finally allowed into her Ipswich house, but that acceptance came only after she agreed to clean the property for free after the previous tenants had damaged it.
Kent shared his advice with Sunrise, saying, “Two real estates (agents) urged me to have a partner.”
She stated that she had made 597 housing applications but could not find a place to reside and that she was separated from her children for seven months.
Kent disclosed to the landlord that she worked as a bond cleaner, and the landlord granted her previous application.
Kent stated that she is not the only single woman who has experienced discrimination in regard to renting a property.
She stated, “I witness it on a consistent basis.”
“It’s extremely unjust that you’re being judged; sure, I have eight children, and there’s no way in hell that I’d ever change that,” she said.