Estate agents are discriminating against migrants and play a central role in producing and sustaining housing prejudice, research has found.
In an in-depth study, the National Commission for the Promotion of Equality NCPE, found that migrants were subjected to blatant discrimination when trying to rent properties.
The research presented yesterday was part of a project entitled, ‘I’m Not Racist, but...’, which was co-funded by the EU Progress funds.
During interviews, 50 immigrants who were made up of 27 sub-Saharan Africans, 13 Middle East North Africans, eight East Europeans and two Asians revealed the shocking abuse they were subjected to.
In one of the worst incidents reported, a property owner told the Maltese girlfriend of an African man that he did not rent to “animals, blacks and Arabs”.
Maria Pisani, who was part of the research team, said the interviewees were extremely candid in their responses, to the point that racist language and practice appeared to be normalised.
Results from the study indicate discriminatory practices by estate agents and that they play a central role in producing and sustaining housing discrimination.
The agents played the role of gatekeeper in maintaining neighbourhoods white or non-Muslim.
The study also found ingrained institutional practice where the quality of treatment received from the agents depended on ethnicity.
A number of flat owners feared the value of their property would go down if they rented it out to black Africans.
The aim of the project was to develop a clear understanding of the situation of ethnic minorities and housing and to empower respective stakeholders to prevent or combat discrimination in this area.
The project also aimed to empower the African minority to get their voice heard, to advocate for their rights, to report any abuses and to raise awareness on racial discrimination.
The Agency for the Welfare of Asylum Seekers, the Jesuit Refugee Service and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees were also partners in the study.
Migrants’ answers to questions in the study
“I used to tell agents my name is Sophie and not give them my Arabic name. But then when I told them my husband is Libyan they wouldn’t provide the service anyway. It happened with quite a few estate agents” – Maltese citizen.
“Sometimes owners don’t shake my hand or they give me a nasty look. Once I saw a property with an estate agent and when I went out of the property, I heard the owner get angry with the agent because he brought a coloured man to his flat” – a sub-Saharan African.
“I have a very positive recollection and experience... I knew no one and the Maltese real estate agents helped me find the flat and also with the processing of all the papers I needed for my visa” – European non-EU.
“All my Libyan friends say that they never get their deposit money back whenever they rent property. No matter in which state the flat is left the landlord always finds some excuse to take the deposit money from them” – North African/Middle East migrant.
“Maltese especially are not happy when they see a black or an Arab living next to them. Sometimes I go out with my baby daughter and people stare at me, even though I have been living in the same street for over three years now. Once someone even called the police because they thought my husband had stolen the baby” – Middle East/North African migrant.