ARE THERE ANY LAWS THAT PROTECT PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL PAST FROM BEING DENIED HOUSING?

My mother functions for vast in isolation association which rents apartments in NYC. This association however does not concede any one with the rapist past to even request for an apartment. I consider this has got to be an bootleg as well as discriminatory practice. Does any one know either or not it is?

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

DJ B October 2, 2010 at 10:30 am

Each state governs their own. NY may very well have such a law. You could check with the state’s commerce department.

jennyann 4 October 2, 2010 at 11:11 am

A record follows you throughout life so it is best not to have one in the first place…..I have rentals and I check with police all the time to see if they have a record.

newmexicorealestateforms October 2, 2010 at 11:39 am

In New Mexico you are considered rehabilitated after 3 years from the conviction and or having served time, with no offenses during that time. However you might want to check these links
Consumer Law Help manuals: http://www.consumer.state.ny.us./clahm/start.htm
Consumer Protection Board:
http://www.consumer.state.ny.us./
Special needs housing act: http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS
LANDLORD TENANT ACT MANUALS:
http://www.consumer.state.ny.us/clahm/clahm-landlords.htm
Best of luck on your research

PersonalFreedom October 2, 2010 at 12:08 pm

There is no specific federal law that protects past criminals. Fair housing law is pretty specific about protected classes. (race, religion, etc)

However, “criminal past” is pretty broad. (i got a couple speeding tickets, am I a criminal?)

Is it discrimination? Yes. Is it ILLEGAL discrimination? No.

Personally, I evaluate anyone with a criminal history including a jail term on a case-by-case basis. (I rejected the guy who attacked his previous landlord!)

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