Full question:
I saw a FOR RENT sign outside a house. The sign said APARTMENT FOR RENT $850. I phoned landlord and went to see apartment. I'LL TAKE IT I SAID. You also have to pay security and last months rent. You also have to fill out an application form. I told her that I have money to pay the rent. She insisted on an application form. The apartment was still available two weeks later, I called and was told I needed to fill out an application with all the pertinent information. The landlord sent me the application. I filled out my name and address and wrote a statement that I have funds (money) enough to pay rent and signed it. The landlord said my application was incomplete and refused to consider me until I gave her all the info she wanted. I called again a few days later and she said if I call again she is going to charge me with Harassment. I called back again, about 1 minute after she said this: I left a message on the voice mail: Hi, I just called you about renting the apartment--I'd like to rent it right now!!! There saw some cracking or static in the line, but the connection last long enough to say this. Then I hung up the phone, and have not contacted her or heard form her. I feel I have a right to have a place to live, and that an offer was made to rent which I accepted (sign). Furthermore I feel that there is no basis for a harassment, all I am trying to do is get an apartment....Can you fill me in on the laws? Do people have the right to rent any apartment they want to rent, or is it up to the landlord to decide, whether she feels like renting to any given individual? This has been going on almost 4 years now. This is just the latest dispute. I live outside because no one rents to me. My previous landlord who is a member of the local Planning Board evicted me December 5, 2005, and he took all my furniture, books, etc.
- Category: Landlord Tenant
- Date:
- State: Massachusetts
Answer:
Housing discrimination is discrimination based on protected class status, variously including race, gender, ethnicity, age, national origin, sexual orientation and gender identity, marital status, or veteran status, in the areas of housing and real estate, including rentals.
Under federal law and MA statutes, it is illegal to discriminate against someone in the sale or rental of housing because of a person’s membership in one of the following protected classes:
Race
Color
Religious creed
National origin
Ancestry
Sex
Marital status
Veteran status
Age
Handicap/disability
Sexual orientation
Children
Public assistance
Children/Lead Paint
Public Assistance Recipient (e.g., Section 8 voucher holder or MRVP voucher holder)
Unless there is dicrimination based on one of these protected classifications, a landlord may choose who to rent to based on other grounds. An application is considered a mere offer, and a lease generally needs to be signed to have acceptance of a rental agreement.
Pleases see the information at the following link:
http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=cagoterminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Civil+Rights&L2=Housing&sid=Cago&b=terminalcontent&f=civilrights_housing_discrimination&csid=Cago
This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.
