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Living in the gender spectrum: Evidence from non-cisgender applications in the rental housing market

Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: • We present the results from the first preregistered online correspondence study to delve deeper into the differential treatment of single household non-cisgender and cisgender individuals in the rental housing market. • Non-cisgender applicants are around 7 percentage points less likely to receive a positive call back than ciswomen, and are more likely than both cismen and ciswomen to be asked to clarify their gender. • Cismen are around 10 percentage point less likely to receive a positive call back than ciswomen, are less frequently asked if they will cohabit with someone, and are more likely to be addressed by an erroneous name. • The estimated effects are larger outside major cities, particularly for cismale applicants. We present novel evidence from the first correspondence study investigating the effect of individual non-cisgender signals in the housing market. In a preregistered trial, 800 fictitious letters were sent to rental apartment landlords in Sweden. Cismale applicants received fewer positive responses compared to ciswomen, while non-cisgender applicants had response rates that fell between those of ciswomen and cismen. The effects were strongest for apartments located outside of major cities. Non-cisgender applicants were also more often asked to clarify their gender. Additionally, cismale applicants were more likely to be addressed by the wrong name and were less frequently asked if they would bring any cohabitants.
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhe.2025.102064
Language: English
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,490
OpenAlex ID: W4409252369
FWCI: 1.778
Cites: 50
Cited by: 1
Related to: 10