Texas Real Estate Group Stops Referring To Rooms As 'Master'

An estate agent group in Texas has said it will stop using the term 'master' when describing bedrooms or bathrooms after complaints over its association with slavery.

The Houston Association of Realtors will now use the term 'primary' rather than 'master' on its Multiple Listing Service after several members called for a review, KPRC reports.

In a statement seen by KPRC, the group said: "The MLS Advisory Group regularly reviews the terms and fields used in the MLS to make sure they are consistent with the current market environment.

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"The updates to Primary Bedroom and Primary Bath were among nine requests for review that were submitted by members and considered at the most recent meetings."

The statement went on to say that it reviewing its wording was 'not a new suggestion', explaining: "The overarching message was that some members were concerned about how the terms might be perceived by some other agents and consumers.

"The consensus was that Primary describes the rooms equally as well as Master while avoiding any possible misperceptions."

However, it stressed to its members that it was not banning the use of the word and that members can still use the term as they 'feel appropriate' in their marketing materials and photo descriptions.

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Speaking to the Houston Chronicle, black real estate broker Tiffany Curry said she supports the change.

She told the news outlet: "'Master' represents a stigma and place in time that we need to move forward from. As a progressive, diverse city, Houston should be reflective of its citizenship."

In a statement to the Houston Chronicle, Vince Malta, President of the National Association, said the term isn't discriminatory.

He said: "NAR sees no reason that real estate professionals cannot use the term, as there is also no evidence that it has any historical connection to slavery or any other kind of discrimination."

Symbols of slavery and colonialism have been targeted across the US and the rest of the world following the death of George Floyd.

In Bristol earlier this month, Black Lives Matter protesters pulled down a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston, rolled it to the harbour and chucked it in.

The move prompted London mayor Sadiq Khan to launch a review into the statues in the capital.

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19