Your Options For Anti-Discrimination Claims Against Your Landlord
If you have ever been discriminated against when you are renting a home, it may be time to get an attorney involved. In some cases, it is just a miscommunication or another innocent mistake. However, if you cannot work out a problem and you are concerned it is due to your race, sex, ethnicity, or otherwise, you can utilize federal anti-discrimination laws to help you. You do not have to jump straight to a lawsuit. The following are some steps to take if you feel discriminated against when renting:
Communicate with the Landlord
One thing you can do is communicate your concerns with the landlord. He or she may not realize they are coming off as offensive. If you can communicate your concerns and come to an understanding, the matter should not have to go further.
If you intend to speak about your concerns with your landlord, try to do so with a witness present. This can be a friend or another neighbor who has similar concerns, although a neutral third-party is best.
File a Discrimination Complaint with the Government
If you are not able to communicate your concerns, you can opt to file a complaint with the federal government. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will be able to assist you in determining whether or not your landlord has been discriminatory. Your state may have anti-discrimination laws you can utilize, as well.
HUD will conduct an investigation of your concerns and help mitigate further instances through communication with your landlord. If no appropriate communication and resolution is made with HUD, the complaint will be escalated. At that point, you can request money for emotional damages you have incurred due to the discriminatory actions.
File a Lawsuit
If you are blatantly discriminated against and you want to bypass the other options, you can file a discrimination lawsuit. Your attorney will prepare the case and may even file a restraining order against your landlord, if it is warranted. In many cases, these lawsuits are settled, and the tenant will receive a settlement.
One thing you need to consider is that you will have to pay for your attorney when you file a lawsuit. If you think the discrimination is worthy of a lawsuit, it will be worth it. However, if you feel your case will be difficult to prove, going a different route, including moving to a new rental, may be a less expensive option. For more information, talk to companies like Hart Law Offices, PC.