Mum told to identify as divorcee to find home

A mother caring fulltime for her disabled child says she was told by a real estate agent to identify as a ‘‘divorcee’’ to help her chances of finding somewhere to rent.

Christa Ah Kiau said the West Auckland realtor advised her that describing herself as a single mother ‘‘could look like you’re just someone who got pregnant and then went on the benefit’’.

Ah Kiau said prejudice against her family situation and her son’s disability had resulted in landlords disregarding her applications.

The mother and son face homelessness if they can’t find a new home by January 31, with their current tenancy ending due to their landlord selling up.

The 35-year-old has been a solo parent to her son Elias, 4, since separating from her husband in late 2019.

Elias has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

It was during her first house viewing as a single mother that Ah Kiau said she was told by a realtor to say she was a divorcee.

Ah Kiau said she felt dehumanised and belittled by the comment.

Ah Kiau said she didn’t raise a complaint because she was worried it could jeopardise her chances of getting the property. Under the Human Rights Act, it is illegal discriminate against anyone on the to grounds of marital status. That includes whether someone is divorced.

She applied for the home but her application didn’t result in any reference checks. The home was still listed a month later and Ah Kiau said she contacted the realtor in the hope her application may be reconsidered.

‘‘She said: ‘I’m sorry, but the owners don’t want to even process your application at this point’.’’

Ah Kiau is also on the social housing wait list.

Ah Kiau said she doesn’t want to lie on her application because she and her husband have been separated for a year, but she isn’t technically divorced.