In New Jersey, individuals are entitled to rent or buy property or housing without facing any discrimination. The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination prohibits landlords or real estate agent from denying housing to people because of their familial status, sexual orientation, gender, disability, nationality, ancestry, religion, race, and more. Regardless of whether you plan to rent or buy, it is important that you have an understanding of your rights and should not tolerate discrimination.
In an instance in which a person has a physical disability, the landlord is required to make reasonable accommodations to assist them. These may include the installation of a wheelchair ramp or a shower seat, or the allowance of a service dog in the apartment, even if there is a rule against animals in the unit. These are simple changes that a landlord can make to accommodate a resident who may have disabilities. Another situation that may be included under the umbrella of discriminatory acts by a landlord is if a landlord charges one renter a different rate of rent than they charge another, simply because they are of a certain familial status, or another protected class.
Of course, there are certain instances in which age can be a factor in the distribution of housing. The greatest example of this is retirement communities that typically only allow those who are age 55 and over to live there. For a situation such as this, it is likely that one may not be able to bring a discrimination lawsuit against the community if they do not meet the age criteria to live there.
If you believe that you have been discriminated against when trying to obtain housing, contact an experienced discrimination defense attorney who can assess your case and help you find justice.