House-Hunters banned from Viewing Property for being Asian

A house-hunting couple has spoken of their anger after they were banned from viewing a property by the seller who branded Indians “time-wasters” seeking a “day out”.

British-Indians Sareena Suman and her husband Ajay spotted a four-bedroom detached house in Birmingham on the Purplebricks’ website.

They messaged the seller, requesting a viewing of the £375,000 property.

But the response shocked the couple.

The seller told them: “I am no longer taking viewings from the Indian and Asian community who are not serious buyers. But just look around properties for sale… as a day out.

“There are many other properties you can waste people’s time on so I suggest you go view one of them.”

Sareena and Ajay have been married for 10 years and were looking for a new home so they can expand their family.

Sareena said: “It has made me question if everyone is thinking that about me.

“Do they describe me as ‘That Asian girl’? Is my colour or my race a thing to describe me or stereotype me?”

The seller has denied being racist, saying: “I’m not the slightest bit racist.”

Since receiving the message, sales trainer Sareena has experienced a rollercoaster of emotions.

She explained: “I had to read the message 15 times before it sank in.

“At first, it was laughable and I laughed because I didn’t know how to feel. And afterwards, the sadness kicked in and I got upset.

“Now, I’m not as angry as I was because I’ve come to terms with it but it’s just the shock I can’t get over.

“Where we live currently there’s a minority of Asians and it’s made me look at everyone differently.

“I’ve never felt like that before. I’m now conscious about what I’m saying and if someone is looking at me.”

The property was special to Sareena because it was near her family home in Birmingham, where she grew up.

The couple did not respond to the seller, instead reporting them to Purplebricks.

They have had to sit down with their eldest son, six-year-old Jhye, to explain racism to him.

Sareena added: “I’ve always taught my eldest that words are just words.

“But I found that I had to have that conversation about racism with him.

“The whole experience has made me scared for him.”

Despite the sentimental value, she is now wary about moving back to Great Barr because she is now aware of the type of people who live there.

A Purplebricks spokesperson said: “The sentiments expressed in this message are completely opposed to Purplebricks’ views and values.

“As soon as we saw this comment, we told the vendor that we wouldn’t sell their house and refunded their fee.

“The house is no longer on the market with Purplebricks.

“We also contacted the buyer to express how appalled we were by this message and apologise that they’ve had this experience.”