Generation Rent exec attacks agent over property listing which stated prospective tenants would not be able to register to vote if they rented it.
5th Mar 20260 597 1 minute read Simon Cairnes
A listing for a Hertfordshire property has been withdrawn after it was attacked by rent campaigners and a local MP for stating that the tenants who took it would “not be able to register for voting”
The two-bedroom cottage in Graveley, marketed by Mather Estates for £1,450 per month on a six-month tenancy, was described in the listing as a “unique” home set in “beautiful grounds”. However, the advert also stated: “Council tax is included – a new tenant will not be able to register for voting.” The backlash occurred after it was circulated online.
Concrete example of challenges renters face.”
Dan Wilson Craw (main picture), Deputy Chief Executive of Generation Rent, said the advert was “a good concrete example of challenges renters face”. He added that landlords sometimes impose restrictions on tenants but rarely spell them out publicly, saying: “This is a red flag for the listing. The big surprise is the letting agency thinks it’s OK to show in the advert.”
Alister Strathern, Labour MP, Hitchin
Alister Strathern, the Labour MP for Hitchin, where the property is located, said: “It’s outrageous that potential tenants could be blocked from registering to vote. I’m glad the agent withdrew the advert after my office got in touch.”
Paul Mather, MD, Mather Estates
Mather Estates Managing Director Paul Mather told The i Paper: “The property was incorrectly listed and launched too early, as it wasn’t separately listed for council tax yet. It would have meant tenants wouldn’t have been able to immediately register on the electoral roll from that address.
“The property has now been withdrawn until correctly registered.”
The home is a new-build on land attached to an existing property and had not yet been registered as a separate address with the council.
Rightmove was also contacted by the paper for comment, but had not responded.
TagsGeneration Rent listings 5th Mar 20260 597 1 minute read Simon Cairnes Share Facebook X LinkedIn Share via Email
