Housing Discrimination
California law makes it unlawful for a landlord to discriminate against tenants based on their sex, race, religion, age.
Signs of discrimination include prospective landlords asking for additional background checks, denying a prospective tenant a unit that is available and is offered to a different tenant, adding restrictive standards, refusing to provide handicap parking when one is needed, enforcing a “no pets” policy for service animals, or charging unreasonably more than what other tenants in the building are being charged. California discrimination laws declare that these actions from landlords are unlawful.
California and Federal law make it unlawful to discriminate in the sale, rental or financing of housing based on any protected classes. Some of these classes include:
Race and Color. Discrimination on the basis of race or color is unlawful at both the state and federal level. A property manager may subtly be discriminating by consistently turning away people of a certain color or race for seemingly plausible reasons, or even only evicting tenants of a certain race and color. This oftentimes happens when a new owner or management company takes over the building. These actions are unlawful and violate state laws, especially when there is a proven pattern.
Religion, National Origin. Religious or national origin discrimination is not always direct. If a prospective tenant is turned away based on their religion or national origin, or is otherwise discriminated against, then the landlord has engaged in unlawful discrimination.
Sex, Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation. No one may be discriminated against because of his or her gender or sexual orientation, and any discrimination based on this is unlawful.
Marital Status. It is unlawful for any prospective landlord to refuse housing or to evict you based on your unmarried, married or widowed status.
Disability and Medical Condition. People with disabilities and medical conditions that qualify for housing assistance are protected against discrimination.
Source of Income. A landlord cannot use a tenant or prospective tenant’s source of income to refuse housing or to evict the tenant.
Age. In the housing context, anyone over the age of 40 is a protected class, and cannot be denied tenancy or evicted based on their age.
The experienced attorneys at the Harouni Law Group can help you in these situations. With the help of our attorneys we can determine if you have been discriminated against and can help you receive the financial compensation you deserve.