A new survey has found that your skin color may be a big factor when finding a house in a tight rental market.
A survey from Domain looked at how Anglo, Indian and Muslim Middle Eastern "renters" are treated in Sydney. The reason that these two ethnic minorities are singled out in the surveys is because of reports from other surveys that they have experienced housing discrimination.
Each week from August to November 2013, the group tested properties advertised for rent through Sydney. They hired paired testers who are of the same gender and age, but different ethnicities as "mystery shoppers." The testers called the listing agent and then when possible scheduled an inspection in person. Then the testers detailed what the listing agents told them by answering a questionnaire which were completed during the said period.
One of the findings shows that listing agents were more likely to take the testers' information but it was also quite possible that the agents would refuse to contact them after the inspection. Those who conducted the survey emphasized the limitations of the test in a sense that only two ethnic minority groups were given focus because of budget constraints. But despite the limitations, the test has provided a significant insight on how ethnic groups are regarded in the market.
It should also be noted that even if the tests only covered the early stages of house hunting in Sydney's rental market, there were clear differences between how Anglo testers were treated and how the Muslim Middle Eastern or Indian testers were treated. The test revealed a lot on how those who belong to the ethnic minorities may be discriminated. It was also through that survey that is was found out that the Anglo testers might find it easier to get the right property, at the right price and in the right location compared to the minority.