Finding housing in New York can be a challenge. For those who are undocumented and for minorities, the challenge can be even greater. New York law has specific laws that explicitly forbid discrimination on things like race, nationality, immigration status and similar points.
The Fair Housing Act and New York State Human Rights Law are the specific laws that govern landlord discrimination. The protections offered start during the application process for a rental unit and continue throughout a tenancy, including the eviction process.
What are some of the things New York law forbids?
New York laws set the standard of treating everyone equally for rental units. This means that landlords can’t refuse to rent to someone based specifically on their national origin. They also can’t add steps to the application or approval process for only people who are from certain areas or have specific characteristics.
For example, they can’t require a background check on Mexican individuals if they won’t also require it from a Caucasian individual. They also can’t require larger security deposits or rental payments just because of someone’s national origin or immigration status.
Immigration status actually plays very little part in the rental and eviction process. Immigrants, regardless of their documentation status, are protected by the law in this state so they have the same rights as citizens.
Tenants and landlords should remember that New York has very specific laws for housing units. Ensuring these laws are complied with is crucial in avoiding legal issues. Working with someone familiar with these matters is beneficial since you can find out what options you have if there are situations involving any form of discrimination occurring.
