New Hampshire Broker Charged with Discriminating Against Families with Children

HUD recently charged a New Hampshire real estate agent and his company with illegally discriminating against families with children. Under the Fair Housing Act, it’s unlawful to deny housing because someone has children or to make statements that indicate a limitation on renting to someone because he or she has children.

According to the HUD charge, the agent screened applicants and showed an available apartment only to prospects who didn’t have children. Allegedly, he also made statements orally and in email indicating that children were not welcome as residents at his property. HUD said its investigation found that when a single mother with a 14-year-old child inquired about the property, the agent informed her that the property wasn’t suitable for a family with children and that he didn’t have to rent to her.

“Treating families with children differently from other tenants is against the law,” John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a statement. “HUD is committed to taking action against anyone who unlawfully denies housing to families.”

The charge will be heard by an administrative law judge unless any party elects to have the case heard in federal district court.

Source: HUD