Police have started investigating the case of a real estate agency which advertised a Qawra flat for rent but barred ‘Arabs or blacks’.

The Times published a story about the advert last month after it was shared on Facebook by outraged readers who deemed the advert to be racist.

Simon Estates, which was responsible for the advert, never made any comment on the matter but amended the advert before the story was published.

People guilty of such discrimination can be fined up to €2,300 and face a six-month jail sentence. Though a complaint was filed, the agency seemed to be getting off with a slap on the wrist since the equality watchdog has no power to enforce penalties.

The National Commission for the Promotion of Equality simply “drew the company’s attention to avoid the use of discriminatory language in its adverts”. The police finally contacted The Times seeking help in their investigations, indicating the real estate agency may not be let off lightly after all. The matter divided people in the industry, some of whom justified the advert by saying Arabs, black and students were regularly problematic when it came to rent.

Federation of Estate Agents president Trafford Busuttil had said such generalisations were puerile because all sorts of people could be problematic for landlords. He said discriminatory advertising was illegal and all agents should be responsible enough not to break the law.

The Ministry for Family, which is responsible for equality, had described such adverts as “unacceptable”, and said accommodation should never be refused on the basis of race or colour.

Since a law was enacted in 2007 outlawing discrimination, the NCPE said there have been three complaints by members of ethnic minorities in relation to housing, even though studies have shown discrimination is rampant.

If you have witnessed discrimination, call the NCPE on 2590 3850 or e-mail equality@gov.mt.