NBR: is this legal?

bumpuser260585

My coworker owns a rental property and is looking for a new tenant. She told me today that she received acall last night from a woman inquiring about the house. She said the woman spoke broken english and was translating to someone in the background. Coworker asked the woman if she would be the one living in the house, when the woman said no it was for her family, my coworker told her that she wouldn't rent to someone who didn't speak english. This is illegal, right? I think it is horrible regardless, but is there something that can be done?

bosha711

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to discriminate b/c of a language difference. That person could sue if they wanted to pursue it.

[Deleted User]

Um, whoa.  I think it's illegal.  Maybe talk to your co-worker about phrasing things in a non-lawsuity way?  And she really said that??  Wow.

Penguin81

As said as it is to say: depends on where you live. There are some counties that have ordinances that let you get away with something like this.

I'm surprised that your co-worker would set herself up for a lawsuit like that... kinda just... wow 

bumpuser260585

Sorry for the p&r last night. She is the most racist biggot ever. It really bothers me, but she is so abrasive that if I say anything to her it would turn into a huge fight. We have another coworker that is fluent in Spanish & I thought about having her call, but I don't know if I should even get involved.

dee12807

I own a rental property here (in NJ) and yes, said that way, it's illegal. However, I have seen legal lease forms in NJ that state that someone on the lease, 18 years or old must be able to 'fully communicate with the landlord.' I've ebeen told it's because of a lawsuit back in the day that happened because of a 7 year olds bad translation. Your coworker may want to look into that.

jarebearsmom

Since she owns the house I'm not sure if it is or not. I know that apartments and things like that can't discriminate. I just can't believe she said that! o.O

EVM1216

It probably varies from state to state.  I know that when that in 2002 it was still legal to discriminate based on sexual orientation when renting aparentments/houses in Cincinatti OH.  I certainly hope that it is illegal.