Cases and Settlements

Sexual Harassment Claim Costs Virginia Rental Manager, Owners $335K to Settle

October 22, 2020    

The Justice Department recently announced that a manager of rental properties in and around Harrisonburg, Va., together with owners of the properties, will pay $335,000 to resolve allegations that the manager sexually harassed multiple female residents and discriminated in housing on the basis...

HUD to CA Landlord: 2 BRs Okay for Couple with 3 Kids

October 22, 2020    

HUD recently announced that it has approved a settlement between the owner and managers of rental properties in California and a couple who alleged that the housing providers refused to rent a two-bedroom unit to them because they have three children. Under the settlement, the housing providers...

Seven D.C. RE Firms and Professionals Accused of Housing Discrimination

September 21, 2020    

District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine recently announced that his office has filed three lawsuits alleging housing discrimination by seven real estate companies and professionals operating in the district.

Arkansas Housing Providers Settle Allegations of National Origin Discrimination

September 21, 2020    

HUD recently approved three settlements with the owners and property management company of an Arkansas community, resolving allegations that they discriminated against several residents by evicting them because of their national origin and retaliated against an employee living on site who sought...

N.J. Condo Association Charged with Discriminating Against Resident with Disabilities

September 21, 2020    

HUD recently charged a New Jersey condominium association with housing discrimination after its management company allegedly refused to allow a resident with disabilities to keep an assistance animal.

Federal fair housing law prohibits housing providers from denying or limiting housing to...

N.J. Landlord Sued for Sexual Harassment

September 21, 2020    

The Justice Department recently sued the owner of rental properties in New Jersey with violating federal fair housing law by subjecting female residents to sexual harassment. The complaint alleged that the defendant, who owns hundreds of rental units in and around Elizabeth, N.J., has subjected...

California Housing Authority Settles Dispute over Grab Bars

August 18, 2020    

In July 2020, HUD announced that it has approved a settlement requiring a California housing authority to pay $7,500 to a resident with a disability to resolve allegations that its staff violated fair housing law when they delayed installing additional grab bars in a unit in response to the...

DOJ Settles Discrimination Suit with Owners of 82 Apartment Complexes in 13 States

August 18, 2020    

The Justice Department recently announced that the owners, developers, and builders of 82 multifamily housing communities have agreed to make extensive modifications to their properties and pay $475,000 to resolve claims that they violated the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities...

Court: Resident's Fence Not Reasonable Accommodation During COVID

August 11, 2020    

In June 2020, a court denied a Texas resident’s request for an emergency order to allow him to fence off his yard because his disability—a compromised immune system—left him vulnerable to COVID-19 exposure to passing strangers.

The resident owned a single-family home in...

Senior Housing Complex to Pay Up to $380K to Settle Disability Discrimination Claims

July 15, 2020    

A court has approved a settlement resolving allegations that three companies violated the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against residents and prospects with disabilities at a senior housing apartment complex in Pennsylvania, according to the Justice Department.

D.C. Landlord Settles Claim of Discriminating Against People with Vouchers

July 15, 2020    

The National Fair Housing Alliance (NFHA) recently announced a settlement agreement with a privately owned development company that owns and manages multifamily properties in Washington, D.C. NFHA said that the terms of the agreement, which include adopting an affirmative nondiscrimination...

Iowa Property Manager Accused of Sexually Harassing Resident

July 15, 2020    

The Justice Department recently filed a lawsuit alleging that the manager of multiple residential rental units in Iowa sexually harassed a female resident from March 2018 until August 2018.

According to the complaint, the manager made repeated and unwelcome sexual comments, touched the...