Housing Discrimination Laws

Protection Against Housing Discrimination
under California and Federal Law

Renters and tenants in California are protected under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) from housing discrimination situations based on race, sex, age, national origin, or other protected classes. Californian tenants are also protected under the state's Unruh Act, which goes further than the ADA and allows a landlord to be held accountable for a discriminatory state of mind.

If you were denied housing or discriminated against by a potential landlord, take action to assert and protect your rights to rent. Contact the Law Offices of Kenny Tan for experienced tenant representation in the Los Angeles metro area and San Francisco Bay Area.

California real estate lawyer Kenny Tan is the owner of a real estate property management company. This gives him firsthand knowledge and understanding of landlord / tenant laws and how they protect tenants' rights:

Protection under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act protects all Americans from discrimination in housing and other areas. Landlords must make reasonable accommodations in rental properties, such as provide proper stairwells, handrails, and other assistive features for disabled or handicapped tenants. If they do not, they can be held liable for these technical violations.

California's Unruh Act protects clients even more fully

The Unruh Act - as part of the Fair Employment and Housing Act - also bans housing discrimination based on race, national origin, sex, disability (including HIV and AIDS), religion, and sexual orientation. While the ADA focuses on holding landlords accountable for violations, the Unruh Act seeks to hold them accountable for discriminatory states of mind against disabled or other protected tenants.

In most cases, our clients have experienced violations of both the ADA and the Unruh Act. Attorney Kenny Tan helps clients decide under which law to pursue damages. Under the ADA, wronged people can recover two times the amount of actual damages; under the Unruh Act, one may recover up to three times actual damages.

The Law Offices of Kenny Tan can help you file a grievance against your landlord with the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) to stop the housing discrimination. This step can also help protect you from retaliatory eviction. Or, the firm can help you seek damages through a civil lawsuit.

If you have experienced housing discrimination based on disability, race, or another protected classification, contact the Law Offices of Kenny Tan to learn how to asset your rights under state and federal laws.