An 18-year-old woman who was rejected from an estate agent position because her car was considered "too old" has been granted a second chance after the firm dramatically reversed its policy. Alanah Thompson French, from Burton Joyce in Nottinghamshire, was left stunned when her application for a trainee lettings negotiator role was turned down solely due to the age of her vehicle.
Initial Rejection Over Vehicle Age
Alanah applied for a £20,000 position at haart Estate and Lettings Agents in Nottingham last December. During the online application process, she encountered a question asking if her car was under ten years old. When she ticked "no," her 2014 Citroen C1—which she had saved £2,800 for by working two café jobs—was flagged as non-compliant.
In an email, the company informed her: "We regret to inform you that you have not been shortlisted for interview on this occasion as it is a requirement to have access to a vehicle under 10 years old." This meant Alanah's car, despite having just 33,000 miles, a full service history, and a valid MOT, was two years over the limit.
Hard Work and Aspirations
Alanah, who recently completed her A-Levels, had purchased the car specifically to enhance her employment prospects. She explained, "I worked really hard whilst doing my A-Levels to pay for the car myself and pay the £700 insurance. My reason for getting a car was because I wanted to be able to drive for work, but it could have actually cost me a job."
She added that she chose not to pursue university to avoid accumulating significant debt, instead aiming to build a career in the property sector. Her mother, Jenni, expressed pride in her daughter's determination, noting that Alanah keeps the car "really clean inside and out" and that an older model was all she could afford as a young person.
Public Backlash and Policy Change
After Alanah shared her experience publicly, employment lawyers cautioned that such policies might disproportionately exclude younger, less affluent applicants. In response, haart Estate and Lettings Agents swiftly revised their stance.
The company issued a statement apologising and confirming they had dropped the 10-year car age limit policy. A representative said, "We are extremely grateful to Alanah Thompson French for raising her concerns. Although it was introduced with good intentions, to ensure that colleagues use vehicles that are roadworthy and safe, it was never meant to prevent people from joining our organisation."
Second Chance Offered
Impressed by Alanah's tenacity, the firm has now invited her for an interview. The representative continued, "She is exactly the sort of person we would like to work for haart estate agents, and we are contacting her to invite her for an interview." Alanah plans to attend the interview in her cherished Citroen C1.
Her mother commented, "Alanah is delighted and excited to be asked to a meeting which we assume is an interview. We are very grateful to haart for changing their policy on the age of vehicles. They were very quick to come out and do so, which I say fair play to them."
This incident highlights broader issues around employment barriers for young people and the impact of corporate policies on accessibility. Alanah's case serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusive hiring practices that do not unfairly disadvantage applicants based on financial constraints.
