The Human Rights Commission says it’s “perfectly legal” for people to advertise that they want ‘straight only’ flatmates. A quick search has found people offering rooms on websites like Trade Me, Easyroommate and NZflatmates where they say they only want to live with straight people. However they are a clear minority, with ‘gay-friendly’ flat listings much more common. This ad for a flat in Palmerston North is one example Under the Human Rights Act, people are protected from discrimination based on their sexual orientation when renting directly from a landlord, buying a house or booking a room at a hotel or motel. However there are exclusions for ‘shared accommodation,’ such as flatting. The Human Rights Commission says therefore “people who are looking for flatmates can discriminate in who they choose to live with”. This in turn means it's fine to post an ad looking only for gay flatmates.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 3rd February 2014 - 11:55am