Try another option.

Checking references from previous residential tenancies can be a useful measuring tool from which agents can base their decisions about whom to rent premises.

Atong made no comment about this to her friend - it appeared she had not been asked this perfectly reasonable question.

Good answer.

If the experience of Atong's friend who rang the agent was anything to go by, it would be likely that Atong may have been discriminated against on the basis of stereotypical views about people of her race or age group.

Try another option.

This could be the reason, but it is a risk with all tenants that they may have other people move in.