Lachlan Mantell and Luke Whitehouse on Good Morning Britain
(Picture: Good Morning Britain)A gay couple were blocked from viewing and buying a house because of their sexuality.
Lachlan Mantell, 37, and Luke Whitehouse, 34, had set their hearts on viewing a three-bedroom flat in south London last Saturday.
The couple, however, received a message from the owners saying they would not allow them to view or buy the property.
In a message published on estate agency Purplebricks, the owners said they were unwilling to allow them the men to view the flat as it would be “contrary to the gracious teaching in God’s Word”.
After receiving the message, the couple said it was the biggest form of “discrimination” they had ever experienced due to their sexuality.
The message from the owners said: “Dear Lachlan and Luke, thank you for sharing your circumstances with us.
"We’re sorry if we seem intrusive, but we just want to make clear that we would be unwilling for two men in a partnership to view or buy our house.
“As it is contrary to the gracious teaching in God’s Word, the Holy Bible, e.g. Romans 1:24-28 and Jude (King James Version)."
In response, Mr Whitehouse said: “We’ve experienced homophobia before but this seemed like it was on a bigger scale. It was preventing us from progressing in our lives, not just a flippant remark. It felt like the biggest form of discrimination I’ve ever experienced."
The property has since been removed from the website.
Purplebricks also said the sentiments expressed by the homeowners did not reflect the views of the company.
Mr Mantell told BBC London: “To have it as the first time we could put an offer on, and to love it so much, and to have that reaction, took the wind out of our sails. It was so disappointing. We don’t wish the couple any ill will, we just wanted to get a message out that this kind of thing happens and it is not acceptable.”
A spokeswoman for Purplebricks told the Standard: “Purplebricks is proud to celebrate diversity and we were shocked to see these messages from the seller.
“We immediately got in touch with Lachlan to offer our support and contacted the seller to say we were no longer happy to sell their house. We hope Lachlan and Luke find their dream home really soon.”
