A couple have been denied a chance to rent a home as the landlords refused to lease them the property because they ‘weren’t Asian or Chinese’.
The New Zealand pair found a two-bedroom house located just outside of Auckland’s CBD and immediately applied.
They believed they had a strong chance of securing the place, but after they had been reviewed by the owners, the real estate agent informed they were unsuccessful with their application because of their race.
‘I’ve made a complaint to the Human Rights Commission because I think we need to send a message that this is not on,’ the woman told the New Zealand Herald.
‘I treat everybody fairly. It doesn’t matter what race you are, I take people at face value.’
A couple have been denied a chance to rent a home as the landlords refused to lease them the property because they ‘weren’t Asian or Chinese’ (stock image)
The couple, aged in their 30s, approached the commission as they believe they are victims of racial discrimination.
They have not been in contact with the owners who declined them due to not being ‘Asian or Chinese’, and are still searching for another home.
The property manager explained the owners decided to decline their application because they felt the other couple, who were Asian, would be a better fit.
‘The landlords were a little concerned they weren’t married, because if you rent a property out to a couple and they break up, then you have to find new tenants, which isn’t very convenient,’ the real estate agent told the NZ Herald.
‘The other tenants also happened to be Asian, and they felt if anything were to happen, like if a window was to break, they felt more comfortable because they can speak to them in their own language.’
The property manager explained the owners decided to decline their application because they felt the other couple, who were Asian, would be a better fit (stock image)
She also said the owner felt better about the Asian family because they had a child, rather than the New Zealand pair who had a cat.
Bizarrely, the property manager instead apologised for revealing the sentiments of the owners and causing the situation.
‘[The landlords] had told me that in confidence and if anything is to blame, it is my inexperience, un-professionalism, and honesty,’ she said.
‘I apologise my inexperience has led to this big misunderstanding.’
The Human Rights Commission of New Zealand states anyone who ‘discriminates against people because of their race, age, sex, sexual orientation, family status, disability’ faces potential legal action.