Condo Complex Settles Claims of Discrimination Against Families with Children

A Minnesota condo association and its property managers recently agreed to pay more than $40,000 to settle allegations that they refused to allow children under the age of 18 to live at the property.

In a complaint filed with HUD, a condo owner alleged that the condo association told him and his wife that they were violating its rules by allowing their minor children to live with them for more than 30 days in a calendar year. Allegedly, the condo association levied fines against them and sued them to keep the couple’s children from living with them.

HUD charged the condo association, its property management company, and the property’s off-site manager with violating fair housing law by maintaining a policy that prohibited children from living in the building. HUD also charged that the condo association failed to adhere to requirements necessary to establish an exemption under the Housing for Older Persons Act.

The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing providers, including condo associations, from denying housing to families with children under the age of 18, unless the housing meets the federal standards to be housing for older persons. According to HUD, the condo association didn’t meet those requirements because it failed to formally and routinely verify the ages of the complex’s residents.

Under the terms of the settlement, the condo association and its managers agreed to pay $30,000 to the condo owner and $12,200 to his attorney. Additionally, they agreed to allow the couple and their children to live in the unitwithout fear of retaliation or harassment.

“Condominium associations may not routinely deny families the right to have their children live with them,” John Trasviña, HUD Assistant Secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, said in a statement. “HUD will continue to take action any time a family’s fair housing rights are violated just because they have children.”

Source: HUD

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