The owners and operators of an apartment complex accused of discriminating against disabled renters with service animals recently agreed to pay $167,000 to settle the discrimination suit.
Rosewood Parks Apartments in Reno, Nevada allegedly used illegal fee structures and certification requirements that forced disabled residents with service animals to pay more than tenants without service animals, or be denied housing. The lawsuit alleged that Rosewood’s practices violated the Fair Housing Act (“FHA”).
The Fair Housing Act requires owners of housing facilities to make reasonable exceptions or accommodations that give people with disabilities equal housing opportunities. For example, under the Fair Housing Act, a landlord with a “no pets” policy may be required to make an exception for an individual who is blind and lives with the assistance of a guide dog in the residence. As another example, the Fair Housing Act also requires landlords to allow tenants with disabilities to make reasonable modifications for access to private and common areas, although the landlord is not required to pay for such modifications.
The Rosewood lawsuit was filed in April 2012 after an undercover investigation by the Silver State Fair Housing Council used people posing as potential tenants to uncover the alleged discrimination. Among other things, the lawsuit alleged that Rosewood violated the Fair Housing Act by limiting individuals with service animals to a particular section of the apartment complex, imposing pet fees, requiring service animals to be licensed or certified; and barring companion or uncertified service dogs altogether. In connection with the $167,000 settlement, the defendants were ordered to develop new policies that do not discriminate against the disabled.
If you even think that you have been discriminated against or denied housing based on your disability, call the right attorney who can discuss your potential claims with you today. If you are disabled or your employer perceives you as being disabled; and you have been fired, wrongfully terminated, discriminated against, demoted, wrongfully disciplined, denied wages, or even think that you might need a disability discrimination lawyer, then call the right attorney to schedule a free and confidential consultation at 866-797-6040. The best option is not to wait. Spitz, The Employee’s Law Firm, and its attorneys are experienced and dedicated to protecting disables employees’ rights under ADA and Ohio law.
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The materials available at the top of this page and on this employment law website are for informational purposes only and not for the purpose of providing legal advice. It would be best for you to contact an Ohio attorney to obtain advice with respect to disability discrimination questions or any particular employment law issue. Use and access to this employment law website or any of the links contained within the site do not create an attorney-client relationship. The legal opinions expressed at or through this site are the opinions of the individual lawyer and may not reflect the opinions of Spitz, The Employee’s Law Firm, attorney Brian Spitz or any individual attorney.