How Housing Choice Vouchers Cost a Landlord $25K

Rental Property Owner Allegedly Violated Fair Housing Laws

California state law bars discrimination based on a tenant’s income source, including using a housing choice voucher.

In June 2022, a Marin County landlord learned this lesson the hard way.

The state’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing said the property owner has agreed to comply with the law and pay a fair housing advocacy group $25,000 after allegedly refusing to accept housing vouchers. A housing discrimination report filed by the Fair Housing Advocates of Northern California preceded the agreement, according to coverage from Patch.com.

The complaint claimed that the owners of Bon Air Apartments refused to rent to prospective tenants who planned to use housing vouchers (previously known as Section 8 vouchers) to help pay their monthly rent.

“Rental housing costs throughout California have skyrocketed, making parts of the State effectively off-limits,” said DFEH Director Kevin Kish. “By ensuring that a major housing provider in Marin County accepts housing choice vouchers, this settlement promotes housing choice and equal access.”

While few set out to violate the Fair Housing Act, there are critical nuances most landlords don’t know – until it’s too late. Serious property owners looking to keep their rental property business successful long term should educate themselves on their federal, state, and local laws to stay compliant.