A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
Breaking barriers : a field experiment to explore discrimination in housing for people with moving disabilities
Authors: Mourelatos, Evangelos; Oikarinen, Elias
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication year: 2025
Journal: Oxford Economic Papers
Article number: gpaf027
ISSN: 0030-7653
eISSN: 1464-3812
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/oep/gpaf027
Publication's open availability at the time of reporting: Open Access
Publication channel's open availability : Partially Open Access publication channel
Web address : https://doi.org/10.1093/oep/gpaf027
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/505616965
This study investigates discrimination against tenants with moving disabilities in the rental housing market using a correspondence test and fake application letters. A field experiment with two scenarios was conducted in the Finnish market, and five fictitious household tenants were compared. The findings reveal a clear association between the presence of disabilities in the household and increased discrimination. This discriminatory behaviour persists irrespective of whether the necessary refurbishments to accommodate the disabled tenant's needs would be covered by the tenant or the landlord. Male landlords are the primary contributors to this discriminatory behaviour, especially regarding direct discrimination. The results obtained from our study are clear, indicating a pressing need to address and mitigate discrimination against tenants with moving disabilities in the rental housing market.
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Funding information in the publication:
This work was supported by the Strategic Research Council at the Research Council of Finland [352451]; and the West-Finland Housing Association of Public Utility.
