With more and more renters in the housing market, the prospect of finding an apartment can be daunting for anyone. For some prospective tenants, navigating the web for rental listings revealed more doors for rental opportunities closed to them than open due to the posting of blatantly discriminatory advertisements that forced them to search elsewhere.
Recently, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) reached settlements in 20 cases against landlords and real estate agents in seven counties across the Commonwealth accused of violating state anti-discrimination laws by making discriminatory statements in rental advertisements on the popular website Craigslist.org (Craigslist). The Attorney General’s Office also filed lawsuits against six other defendants based on similar allegations. The settlements and lawsuits were the result of a statewide investigation into reports of widespread discriminatory Internet advertising. Under Massachusetts law, it is illegal to discriminate against someone because the presence of children might trigger a property owner’s duties under the lead paint laws or because someone receives a housing subsidy, such as a Section 8 voucher, to pay for some or all of their rent.
In an effort to prevent future discrimination against families with children and against recipients of housing subsides. the AGO is also issuing two advisories to provide information and guidance to tenants, landlords, property owners and real estate companies about housing discrimination laws.
To prevent this type of blatant discrimination, the Attorney General will continue to monitor Craigslist and hold accountable those who post discriminatory ads.
For additional information on lead paint discrimination and housing discrimination as it pertains to tenants receiving housing subsidies, please visit the Civil Rights section of the Attorney General’s website.
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