Todays Rental News » Fair Housing

Landlord Suit Could Cost City Millions – ABC News

Tim Ballering — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:02:43 +0000

A legal battle between the City of Saint Paul and a handful of landlords could force the city to pay millions.

It all centers around code enforcement.

The city says it was trying to make sure housing is safe and sanitary. Landlords who are part of the suit say the city went too far, hurting their rental business, hurting people who need affordable housing.

Twelve St. Paul landlords claim the city’s aggressive code enforcement forced them to make expensive unnecessary repairs. They say the enforcement also forced them to cut back or sell out and that hurt affordable housing in St. Paul.

via KSTP TV – Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Unyielding law – sex offender can’t stay, can’t move – Miami-Dade – MiamiHerald.com

Tim Ballering — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 00:40:14 +0000

A convicted molester is losing his house to foreclosure, but is blocked by county law from moving to a different house a block away.

via MiamiHerald.com.

[Which will result in an unworkable law for owners]

Condos and Discrimination against Families

Tim Ballering — Thu, 12 Aug 2010 13:53:48 +0000

The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division today announced an agreement with the Latvian Tower Condominium Association Inc. and its former president, Karl Tegtmeyer, to settle allegations of discrimination against families with children. Under the consent decree, which must still be approved in federal court in Omaha, Neb., the defendants must pay $112,500 to victims of discrimination and an additional $15,000 to the government as a civil penalty.

via United States Department of Justice.

Need A Mortgage? Don’t Be Pregnant

Tim Ballering — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 00:48:40 +0000

Here’s an unintended consequence of the post-crash emphasis on quality control in the mortgage business: New parents are being rejected because of the cost of taking maternity leave. The New York Times reports:

Even if a parent plans on returning to work within weeks, some lenders are balking at approving the loans.

via Minyanville.com.

Supreme Court nominee Kagan on state anti-discrimination laws

Tim Ballering — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 17:11:54 +0000

The William J. Clinton Presidential Library on Friday released 42,000 more pages of memos and notes on Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. In some documents from her time as the former president’s aide, Kagan pushed for a broader interpretation of religious freedom over state anti-discrimination laws.

via Courthouse News Service.

Lead Paint Based Discrimination

Tim Ballering — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 00:49:35 +0000

The advertisements, all for the same apartment in Chelsea, stated, “the apartment may have lead paint so if you have young children under 6 years old or are on Section 8 this will not work for you.” In addition, the complaint alleges that when an investigator from the AG's office contacted Eastern Property and posed as a father with a young child, he was steered away from renting the advertised property and told that he would have to sign a release form before he could rent the property.

via the daily item of lynn

Yonkers landlord to pay $37,710 penalty

Tim Ballering — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:25:50 +0000

A landlord found guilty of discriminating against a man who uses a wheelchair will have to pay $37,710 in damages and penalties.

via The Journal News.

HUD requires grant applicants to comply with local anti-discrimination laws

Tim Ballering — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 22:13:16 +0000

“We‘re using every avenue to shut the door against discrimination,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Today, we take an important step to insist that those who seek federal funding must demonstrate that they are meeting local and state civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.”

via HUD

Veteran told ‘Remove flag or be evicted’

Tim Ballering — Wed, 26 May 2010 11:55:09 +0000

Dawn and Charlie Price have been told by their apartments management company that they must take down an American flag they have hanging in the dining room window of their west-side apartment by Saturday or face eviction.

via Oshkosh Northwestern.

Dance Hall Owners: Code Enforcement Racially Biased

Tim Ballering — Wed, 12 May 2010 16:41:37 +0000

Owners said they believe licenses and permits are denied and citations are given to keep clubs that cater to blacks out of business.

via WRTV Indianapolis.