SA real estate inquiry finds AI locking out vulnerable tenants

Some tenants are being locked out of the rental market by AI technology. Vulnerable prospective tenants are being rejected by AI, with an inquiry into the real estate industry revealing the technology is locking some out of housing. The revelations come as part of Parliament’s inquiry into the conduct of real estate professionals across South Australia. Flinders University associate professor Selina Tually told the inquiry that some agents are using computer programs to assess rental applications based on certain information, including income, family circumstances and cultural background. Some prospective tenants have been asked if they identify as Aboriginal or have children, as well as the source of any income. The parliamentary inquiry will investigate a range of issues in SA’s real estate industry. The technology is then used to screen them before they even get a chance to inspect a home. SA Greens MP and chair of the inquiry Robert Simms said it was “deeply concerning”. “South Australians are already struggling to find somewhere affordable to live and now we’re hearing that some people are being knocked out of the running by a computer before they’ve even had a chance to inspe...