The Equality and Human Rights Commission has now started a legal challenge against Fergus Wilson, 69, who has removed from his latest criteria letter
A notorious buy-to-let tycoon who banned Indian and Pakistani tenants from his properties is facing a legal challenge.
Fergus Wilson, 69, sparked controversy when he claimed Asian tenants had left his homes “smelling of curry”.
The businessman, Britain’s biggest buy-to-let investor, also barred zero-hour workers, single parents, “battered wives”, and mothers and fathers with children under 18.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has now started legal action, claiming Wilson’s letting policy is “unlawful”.
EHRC chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said: “We have asked the court if it agrees with us that Mr Wilson’s lettings policy contains unlawful criteria and, if so, to issue an injunction.
“As this is now formal legal action we will release further information at a later date.”
Fergus Wilson, who owns around 1000 rental homes, also banned smokers and 'battered wives'
Property tycoon Fergus and wife Judith are believed to be worth over £100 million
Wilson and his wife Judith own up to 1,000 rental properties in Kent and are believed to be worth over £100 million.
He attracted widespread criticism for saying that he would not house Indians or Pakistanis due to previous experiences.
The landlord had to call in police after receiving online abuse labeling him racist.
Insisting he was not prejudiced, Wilson said: “It is not the color of their skin, but the smell of the curry.
The millionaire claims he is against the smell of curry as opposed to the color of their skin
“The issue is that a person is quite entitled not to purchase a house that smells of curry but to purchase the house next door which does not smell of curry.”
Wilson’s latest lettings criteria - dated June 1 this year - does not include a ban on Indians and Pakistanis.
But it does prevent single parents, “battered wives” and zero-hours workers from moving into his properties.
EHRC chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath hs taken the case to court to see if his letting policy is 'unlawful'
A copy of Wilson's 'letting criteria' tells how tenants with kids were also banned
Defending his latest lettings criteria, Wilson said this demographic typically has low incomes and could not provide rent guarantee.
He added: “Like any business we are consistently fine-tuning to best advantage.
“I am merely taking economic steps to ensure that we do not end up with people who are unable to pay their rent.
“Given that I have not had any Indian or Pakistani person apply for a house during the past five years, I am not sure what the EHRC seeks to achieve.”
The EHRC has applied for an injunction at Central London County Court against Wilson’s controversial lettings policy.
Last month the group demanded a written assurance from the tycoon that he would not refuse to let a property based on race, color or nationality.
Advocacy group Hope Not Hate has described Wilson as “the unacceptable face of the housing crisis”.