A woman claims she couldn't rent a property - because she didn't have a man.
Lorna Pearce, 28, went into a letting agency to ask about a city maisonette - but she was shocked when staff said she couldn't have it.
She claims that SAMS Accommodation, in Plymouth, Devon, told her she would need a man to move into the property with her, due to a request from the landlord.
SAMS Accommodation have pledged to investigate but deny that this Lorna was turned down for this reason.
Lorna has said she is "outraged" at the situation and that the letting agency shouldn't be able to refuse her "purely because of my gender".
Lorna contacted the agency on Wednesday, April 3, as she is planning to move back to Plymouth after living in London for the last 10 years.
Maths graduate Joe Atkinson GUILTY of murdering university sweetheart at their flat
Lorna claimed the letting agent asked her if the property was "just for you" and when Lorna responded that she would be living alone, she says she was left "shocked".
She said: "[The agent] said 'the problem is the landlord requested a male and female couple to move in'. I couldn’t believe it. It’s really strange."
Lorna said she initially accepted what she was told, but then decided to call back and question it.
Lorna said: "She said that’s what the landlord requested, as due to safety I would need a man present to keep me safe.
"I’m actually in a relationship with a woman. I’m shocked to be honest. It’s 2019. Not only is it completely wrong, as a business they shouldn’t accept that behaviour.”
Kirby Muxloe house fire: Two dead after neighbours hear explosion
A SAMS Accommodation manager said the firm was investigating Lorna's claim.
The incident is said to have happened on Wednesday and the member of staff concerned had gone home by the time the manager was made aware of the situation.
The manager said she had since been unable to contact the employee to find out what was said.
'Gentle giant' found dead by mum after street attack left him scared to leave home
SAMS Accommodation said it has been "inundated" with requests for the property and "single females have already viewed with the landlord".
The landlord is now carrying out more groups of viewings on a first-come-first-served basis.
The manager of SAMS Accommodation said: “I came back from the office at 2pm and I believe one of my colleagues spoke to the lady concerned.
"I don’t know where the ‘single lady’ has come from and I do not know why this would have been said.
"I have spoken to all staff members except for one who is not in the office today.
“I can confirm that we will continue to look into the complaint on behalf of the lady concerned."
