Massachusetts AG Hammers Three Landlords In Separate Cases For Using Craigslist To Publish Discriminatory "No Section 8" Rental Ads

From the Office of the Massachusetts Attorney General:

• AG Coakley Obtains Judgment Against Fall River Landlord and Tenant for Alleged Posting of Discriminatory Housing Advertisement on Craigslist (Judgment part of statewide investigation into reports of discriminatory Internet advertising),

• AG Coakley Obtains Consent Judgment Against Revere Landlord for Alleged Posting of Discriminatory Housing Advertisement on Craigslist,

• AG Coakley Obtains Judgment Against Hyde Park Landlord for Alleged Posting of Discriminatory Housing Advertisement on Craigslist.

In each case, the landlord allegedly placed an advertisement on Craigslist listing a residential unit for rent but stating “no Section 8,” referring to a Federal housing program that provides rent subsidies for low-income tenants. The Massachusetts Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits real estate companies, agents, landlords and others involved in property rentals, from discriminating against people who use state or federal housing subsidies to pay for all or a portion of their rent, according to the Massacusetts AG's press releases.

Since taking office in January 2007, Attorney General Coakley’s office has obtained judgments in 86 housing discrimination cases brought against landlords, property managers, and/or real estate companies. In October, 2009, the Attorney General’s Office reached 20 settlements and filed six complaints against landlords and real estate agents across the Commonwealth accused of violating state anti-discrimination laws on Craigslist.