Scoundrel landlords are refusing to rent to single mothers -- and the Human Rights Commission has promised to investigate.

One mother contacted The Royal Gazette last week to say she had been turned down from a series of apartments because she had two children.

And the Human Rights Commission has revealed that some of Bermuda's landlords will happily allow tenants with cats or dogs, but draw the line at children.

New Health Minister Wayne Furbert, who has responsibility for housing, was told about the tenant's allegations yesterday.

He said: "That's disgusting. If that is the case, then it's discriminatory and there are laws against it.

"Anybody experiencing this should get in contact with the Human Rights Commission immediately.'' The 34-year-old mother, from Warwick, asked not to be named. But she said: "About four weeks ago, I was given until the end of May to leave my house because the landlord wanted to sell it.

"The new owners want an empty house from the end of June.

"But I have encountered all sorts of problems finding alternative accommodation, and I'm not just talking about `suitable' accommodation.

"I have a teenage boy who is 17 and a daughter who is 12. In a panic, I decided I would go out to all the agencies and apply through word of mouth.

"But there is absolutely nothing for a single mother like me. I was paying $1,300 a month before and I can only afford $1,600, which takes up most of my pay packet.

"But I know I'll have to do that. One potential landlord flatly denied considering my application because she refused, discriminatory or not, to rent to a single parent.

"Apparently, this owner previously had a single parent and is now in the middle of a court case over rental payments. I understand this landlord's frustrations.

"At the same time, it hardly seems fair to classify all single parents as being irresponsible in paying rent in a timely manner, and in full.'' The worried mother put her complaints in writing, in a letter to the Editor of The Royal Gazette .

And she said problems could be avoided if landlords carried out dilligent checks on potential tenants.

Canon James Francis, Chairman of the Human Rights Commission, said: "We are having trouble with housing and there are many issues connected with those problems. How prevalent this is right now, I don't know.

"But it's quite evident we have had some complaints about people being discriminated against because they have children...not because they have dogs or cats, but because they have children. That's sad.

"If this lady is being discriminated against because she's got children, then it's against the law.

"It would be helpful if she would simply call the office and give us a chance to deal with these problems.

"Once we got the name of a landlord, we would call them and say the matter was under investigation.'' Government has already announced proposals to bust the Island's housing crisis by subsidising 85 to 90 percent of rents for successful tenants claiming "affordable housing''.

But tenants paying less than 15 to 25 percent of their monthly income towards rent will not qualify for help.

And only tenants who prove they are on low incomes will qualify for the rent subsidies. Former Housing Minister C.V. (Jim) Woolridge faced calls for his resignation earlier this year, during a series of demonstrations by tenants angry at Government rent hikes.

WHAT THEY SAY `That's disgusting. If that is the case, then it's a clear case of discrimination and there are laws against it. Anybody experiencing this should contact the Human Rights Commission' HEALTH MINISTER: Wayne Furbert `It's quite evident we have had some complaints about people being discriminated against because they have children...not because they have dogs or cats, but because they have children.' HRC CHAIRMAN: Canon James Francis