Landlord fined 5,958 TL for refusing to rent to a single person!

The Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye (TİHEK) has announced that it has imposed an administrative fine of 5,958 lira on a landlord for "violating the prohibition on discrimination" after they refused to rent a property to a single person.

B.C.H., who lives in Ankara, contacted a real estate agent regarding a rental listing they saw on a website and agreed on the preliminary terms. However, they were subsequently informed that the landlord did not want to rent the house to a single person.

B.C.H. applied to TİHEK and submitted screenshots of written correspondence with the real estate agent as evidence. In the images, it was noted that the real estate agent used the phrase "They should not be single" during their discussions with the landlord.

Following the allegations, TİHEK concluded that the landlord had violated the "prohibition on discrimination" and imposed an administrative fine of 5,958 lira on the landlord.

In its decision, TİHEK emphasized the principles stated in the Constitution and relevant laws, noting that everyone is equal before the law and that the goal is to prevent discrimination. The Law on the Human Rights and Equality Institution of Türkiye No. 6701 also emphasizes that discrimination based on marital status cannot be made in the processes of renting movable and immovable property.

The decision stated that the applicant was prevented from benefiting from the service equally due to their marital status and that this situation is contrary to the prohibition on discrimination.

News Source: AA