A major estate agency has rescinded its vehicle age policy and extended an interview invitation to an 18-year-old applicant previously disqualified for driving a 2014 model car. Alanah Thompson French's application to haart was initially declined due to her Citroën C1 exceeding the company's 10-year vehicle threshold.

Thompson French, a Burton Joyce resident in Nottinghamshire, sought a trainee lettings negotiator position at the agency's Nottingham branch. The application process explicitly queried whether candidates possessed vehicles manufactured within the past decade—a criterion her 12-year-old vehicle failed to satisfy.

The estate agency had defended the policy as a safety measure, emphasizing the importance of dependable transportation for personnel conducting solo property viewings and covering extensive territories. Thompson French, currently employed full-time in the hospitality sector, transparently disclosed her vehicle's age during the application process.

Following substantial media attention surrounding the rejection, haart announced a policy reversal within 24 hours, eliminating the vehicle age restriction and personally reaching out to Thompson French to schedule an interview.

A haart representative acknowledged the feedback: "We appreciate Alanah Thompson French bringing this matter to our attention. While our vehicle policy originated from legitimate safety considerations—ensuring colleagues operate roadworthy, reliable transportation—it inadvertently created barriers we never intended to establish.

"As the UK's largest independently owned estate agency network, we've successfully onboarded 826 individuals into the property sector through our comprehensive training academies over the past year, spanning sales, lettings, and financial services divisions. Our recruitment philosophy has consistently embraced candidates across all demographics, particularly younger professionals facing employment challenges in the current market.