Two leading estate agencies have revealed over the weekend that they are to stop using the phrase ‘master bedroom’ in their property descriptions because of its sexist and slavery connotations.
Both leading prime London agency Wetherell and national chain Andrews have issued statements saying they are making the move, which follows similar developments in the US where there has been an ongoing campaign over the use of the phrase.
Last week a leading American property industry grouping – the Houston Association of Realtors – said it was in the process of replacing “master bedroom” and “master bathroom” with “primary bedroom” and “primary bathroom” on its property listings database.
And the National Association of Realtors also said it ‘did not oppose’ agents using different phrases to replace ‘master bedroom’.
In the UK, Peter Wetherell, the MD of Wetherell, told The Times that he was to remove ‘master bedroom’ from all his listings.
“These changes are being driven by political correctness and dramatic transformations in the buyer demographic across prime central London. “The typical buyers are now aged from their early twenties to their mid-forties and from all over the world.
“This young demographic tends to be very broad-minded and find any form of racism or sexism deeply offensive.”
David Westgate, CEO of 50-branch chain Andrews Estate Agents said that the Black Lives Matter movement had made the company more aware of its behaviour and wanted to ‘make sure people are treated with respect’.
Instead of saying ‘master’ agents on both sides of the pond are opting to use ‘principal’ or ‘main’ instead.
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