The Equality Act 2010 (the “Act”) brings existing legislation on discrimination (including the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995) into one single statute.  Save for certain exceptions, the provisions of the Act came into force on 1 October 2010.

The Act aims to protect people with certain characteristics (for example, people with disabilities, or because of a person’s age, sex, or religion, amongst other grounds).  The way the Act gives protection is by prohibiting various types of discrimination, harassment and victimisation that are directed towards people with protected characteristics.

In terms of its impact on property, the Act will affect property disposals (or the giving of consent to disposals) and the way that properties are managed, or services provided.  In addition, the Act may require certain reasonable adjustments to properties in order to assist disabled people.

For more information on obligations arising from the Act, please get in contact with us.