‘Unconscious bias’ of estate agents

Research: Househunters with British or French accents are given preferential treatment by estate agents and women with Romanian names and accents had the lowest level of customer service, according to research by the University of Sheffield’s School of Languages and Cultures.

The study, which analysed more than 300 phone calls between agents and first-time buyers in Sheffield, says there could be a level of unconscious bias in the way estate agents deal with their customers, though this will be no doubt be hotly disputed by those in the trade.