Brokers Pay $24K to Settle Discriminatory Ad Claims

Two realty companies and a broker in Connecticut recently agreed to pay $24,000 to settle allegations that they published discriminatory listings and advertisements for condominiums specifying that children were not permitted.

Federal fair housing law makes it unlawful to refuse to sell or rent housing on the basis of familial status, which includes refusing to allow families with children under 18, unless the property qualifies as housing for older persons.

The agreement resolves a HUD complaint filed by the Connecticut Fair Housing Center (CFHC), an organization that receives HUD funding to investigate housing discrimination. The complaint alleged that the companies placed Internet advertisements and a listing in the Multiple Listing Service that specified that children were not permitted at the advertised condominiums. Allegedly, a CFHC tester, who was posing as a buyer, was told about the policy prohibiting families with children. The community did not qualify as housing for older persons, according to HUD.

“Refusing to sell or rent housing to families with children is against the law unless the property meets the very specific requirements of housing for older persons,” Bryan Greene, HUD's General Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a statement. “HUD will continue to enforce the Fair Housing Act and ensure that real estate brokers and agents do not illegally limit the housing options of families because they have children.”

Source: HUD