Fair Housing Council
of Riverside County, Inc.
If You Are Sexually Harassed...
It is a violation of the Fair Housing Act for a landlord or his/her agents to ask for or require sexual favors in exchange for the rental of an apartment, lease renewal, repairs, or any other condition or privilege of renting.
Sexual harassment can range from the landlord or agent (superintendent,
maintenance worker, rental manager, etc.) making sexual comments to actually physically assaulting you.
If you have engaged in sexual activity to pay the rent or security deposit or to get repairs made, and you refuse further demands for sexual contacts with the landlord, you may still be a victim of sexual harassment.
The landlord cannot retaliate against you because you say "no"
or because you report him. He may try to evict you, refuse to do repairs, raise your rent, or threaten you because you refuse his sexual advances.
These are violations of the law, and you should report it immediately.
How to recognize sexual harassment
The Landlord may be direct and demand that you sleep with him to rent the apartment or get repairs made. He may enter your apartment without your permission and make sexually offensive comments to you or try to touch you. You may hear lines like these:
- "Don't worry about the security deposit - we'll make arrangements."
- "There's a long waiting list for these apartments, but I can get you in if you're nice to me."
- "I made special arrangements to do these repairs for you, and I'm sure you know how to thank me."
- "I helped you get into this apartment. If you don't go out with me, I can get your rent subsidy taken away."
- "If you let me take pictures of you, you won't have to pay rent."
For more information on other specific issues of discrimination, please select from the following categories:
For additional information call 1-800-655-1812 or visit one of our conveniently located offices where walk-in services are available.
Return toRecognizing Discrimination
Copyright, 1998, Fair Housing Council of Riverside County, Inc.
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