Facing Landlord Discrimination or Harassment? Know Your Fair Housing Rights in California
What is discrimination?
The Fair Housing Act of 1968 and its 1988 amendments protect tenants from discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, family status, age, disability, or sex. Discrimination can take many forms, such as being denied housing or having a lease terminated because you fall into one of these protected categories.
Landlords are not allowed to ask about your disability, request medical records, or make decisions for you based on assumptions about your condition. They must show you all available units and let you choose your living situation.
If you believe you’ve been discriminated against by a landlord or during the rental process, you may be entitled to compensation. Reach out today and we'll help you schedule a free consultation.
What are some examples?
Example 1: A landlord has a "no kids" rule and refuses to rent to a family with two children, even though they qualify in all other ways. Or, a landlord makes offensive comments about a tenant's race or religion, making them feel unsafe and unwelcome.
Example 2: Ahmed applied for an apartment and had excellent credit and income. When the landlord met him in person and realized he was Muslim, suddenly the apartment was "already rented." Ahmed later sent a friend to inquire, and the friend was told the apartment was still available.
Example 3: Tamika uses a wheelchair and requested permission to install a ramp at her own expense at the small step leading to her apartment door. Her landlord refused, saying, "It would ruin the look of the building," even though the modification was reasonable and necessary.
Example 4: Carlos receives Section 8 housing assistance. When applying for an apartment, the landlord told him, "We don't take Section 8 here. Those people always cause trouble." This is illegal in California, where source of income discrimination is prohibited.
Example 5: The Wilsons have a 5-year-old son. Their landlord repeatedly complains about normal child noises during daytime hours. He's given them warnings for "excessive noise" when their son is just playing normally inside their apartment, and threatens eviction unless they "control that kid."
Frequently Asked Questions
What is housing discrimination?
What laws protect me from housing discrimination?
What are some examples of housing discrimination?
Can a landlord ask about my disability or medical history?
What if I need accommodations because of a disability?
Can I be denied housing because I use a housing voucher?
What should I do if I think I’ve been discriminated against?
Is there a cost to get help?