8 tips for LA tenants (and landlord) to avoid section 8 discrimination

The California law does it illegal In order for landlords to reject the rent to people who participate in rental aid programs such as Section 8, but say that the lawyers of tenants are still widespread in Los Angeles County.

A current Investigation The initiative for housing rights showed that up to 70% of the landlords in the LA region reject tenants that receive federal housing subsidies. And there was a flood of recent complaints, including a comprehensive case that was submitted by the initiative for housing rights last autumn. The suit names more than 200 landlords, including several important real estate companies.

“Finding the distinction between living space in Los Angeles is like rain in a rainstorm,” said Aaron Carr, executive director of the initiative for Housing Rights that investigated landlords throughout the city.

More than 90,000 households in La County rely on the voucher program for the selection of housing in large and large-scale-known the largest rental support program for families with low incomes, seniors and people with disabilities to afford living space on the private market.

Experts say that it is crucial for tenants and landlords to understand their rights and responsibilities.

Here are your tips:

1. Do you know the law

Since January 2020, California Law Prohibits the landlord to discriminate tenants due to their source of income, including vouchers in section 8 or other housing subsidies.

“The law regarding the source of income has changed,” said Michelle Uzeta, deputy director of the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund. “Landlords cannot refuse to rent someone, calculate higher deposits or simply treat them, simply because he uses a voucher from Section 8.”

This applies to private landlords, real estate management companies and companies that rent residential properties in California. The only exception are homeowners who live in their unity and rent a single room, it says the California civil rights department.

Local landlord groups claim that the changes in the law have not been clearly communicated, and some housing providers are not aware of their responsibility towards potential tenants of Section 8.

“Ignorance is no excuse to violate the law,” said Carr. “It is the task of a landlord to learn their legal responsibility and to do business accordingly.”

Proponents encourage potential tenants who encounter potential discrimination to send information about the law to landlords – including this FAQ – to remove confusion about legal responsibilities.

“Lawyers directly for themselves,” said Rodney Legget, lawyer of the housing right center.

2. Document everything

Experts recommend that voucher holders document all interactions with potential landlords. When you speak by phone, make notes about who you spoke to, what exactly you said, how you found the list and much more. If possible, bring things in writing. Save all offers, e -mail talks and text calls. Applicants should ask the landlords directly whether they accept section 8, but are only available after confirmation of housing construction, said lawyers.

“Voucher holder should be sure that a list is still available before you mentioned that you are voucher owners,” advises Jacqueline Burank from the Inner-City Law Center. “If you have these conversations about text, you will also be recorded what was said. It is difficult to prove details about telephone calls.”

If a landlord reacts in writing with “No § 8”, he has presented clear evidence of illegal discrimination.

3 .. Understand financial requirements

Landlords may examine potential tenants for income authorization, but must be calculated differently for voucher owners.

The participants of § 8 cover part of their rent, which corresponds to 30% of their income, and the federal government covers the rest. The program is financed by the US Ministry of Housing and Urban Development or Hud.

If a landlord demands that the tenants earn three times the monthly rent, a 2024 California Law says that you can only apply for this requirement for the part the tenant actually pays, not the entire amount.

This means that if the rent is 2,000 US dollars and the part of the tenant is 500 US dollars, the landlord can only request that the tenant have a monthly income of $ 1,500.

4 .. know your alternative screening options

The credit story should not be an obstacles to voucher holders.

If landlords to check the creditworthiness, you have to give applicants apartment subsidies the opportunity to provide alternative evidence of their solvency. This can contain the documentation of the preservation of public services, bank statements or payment.

Landlords must take these alternatives into account instead of only relying on credit spells according to the California Civil Rights Department.

5. Search for apartment providers who welcome Section 8

Not all landlords resist section 8.

“There are some apartment providers who actively market themselves to people who use section 8,” said Uzeta. “Look for places you want.”

Tenants can find these landlords on websites vulnerablehousing.comOr check the lists in other rental databases for language such as “Section 8 accepted”.

Nevertheless, many landlords are careful when they work with section 8 or other state subsidy programs because they believe that there is too much bureaucracy. In order to accept the voucher in Section 8, private landlords must inspect and approved their real estate from Hud.

“Working with these housing authorities is like eating in a restaurant with poor service and C rating,” said Yukelson. “This makes an apartment provider, in particular the majority that are independent owners and there are no resources to cope with the complexity of a poorly led state bureaucracy that are reluctant to deal with these government agencies.”

Landlords who want to participate in Section 8 can contact their local housing authority to obtain information about the advantages and requirements of the program.

6. Recognize the advantages for landlords

Landlords who accept § 8 ​​receive guaranteed payments directly from the housing authority.

“It is really shocking for me that more landlords do not recognize that this is guaranteed to rent money,” said Uzeta. “The government will not be late.”

Tenants with section 8 -vouchers also undergo the housing authorities and have a strong incentive to meet the rental terms to maintain their support.

Yukelson said that many landlords have the opportunity to accommodate voucher holders.

“Most housing providers would welcome the rent supported by the government and the opportunity to help a family or a veteran needed,” he said.

7. Report discrimination if it happens

Report § 8 ​​discrimination immediately to the Department of Civil Rights in California.

Voucher owners should notify their advisor to the housing authority or another agency who monitors their voucher program. Advisors can contact the landlords directly to work for their customers, said Leggett. Potential tenants are also encouraged to call Pro-Bono legal support organizations such as Los Angeles, Inner City Law Center, Housing Rights Initiative and Housing Rights Center.

Significant punishments, including financial damage, could be exposed to violations.

8. Connect to interest groups for support and training

Several organizations in Los Angeles offer resources for tenants and landlords who navigate in section 8.

Legal Aid Foundation by Los Angeles, Inner-City Law Center, Housing Rights Initiative, Housing Rights Center and the Invaliity Rights Education and Defense Fund offer resources for voucher owners who are discriminated against. They offer free legal advice, representation and self -representation. Workshops.

The California Civil Rights Department also offers online training training for discrimination based on income discrimination for landlords and tenants. For landlords, regular fair-housing training can prevent costly legal problems.

“We encourage rental apartment providers to take fair housing classes annually or at least every two years in order to keep up with the changing regulatory landscape,” said Yukelson. “This is not” follow your belly business “, but a kind of” knowledge of the law “.