TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) announced enforcement actions against 35 property owners, managers, and real estate brokers for allegedly discriminating against tenants who use government rental assistance.
The state is taking action against those who do not want to take Section 8 rentals in their housing units. Illegal migrants living in New Jersey are often provided housing assistance.
DCR issued 15 Findings of Probable Cause in cases where landlords and agents allegedly refused to rent to individuals with Section 8 housing vouchers or other government aid, violating the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination.
Five additional cases were resolved through settlements totaling more than $105,000.
“Housing discrimination continues to harm far too many of our residents,” said Sundeep Iyer, Director of the Division on Civil Rights. “The enforcement actions announced today demonstrate our ongoing commitment to holding accountable property managers, property owners, real estate agents, and their brokerages for housing discrimination.”
Twelve of the cases originated from complaints filed by Housing Rights Initiative, a nonprofit watchdog group. The organization conducted undercover tests where representatives posing as tenants disclosed they would pay rent with Section 8 vouchers. In each case, real estate agents or landlords allegedly rejected them, sometimes making derogatory remarks about voucher holders.
The investigations focused on properties in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Monmouth, and Passaic counties. Real estate brokerages cited for violations include Opirhory Realtors, Howard Hanna Rand Realty, KP Edgestone Realty LLC, Better Home Realty, New and Modern Group LLC, and United Real Estate.
Several cases revealed patterns of discrimination. One Newark property owner allegedly turned away at least three Section 8 applicants, while a Jersey City landlord had never rented to a voucher holder in eight years despite multiple inquiries. In Elmwood Park, a real estate broker stated that a unit was “not equipped for Section 8” and was found to have sent internal messages discouraging rentals to voucher holders.
The five settled cases involved 14 property owners, managers, and real estate brokers, including Keller Williams City Life Realty, Weichert Realtors Jersey City Downtown, and Realty Mark LLC. The settlements require the respondents to pay compensation to the complainants, adopt fair housing policies, provide staff training, and undergo ongoing compliance monitoring by DCR.
A finding of probable cause does not determine guilt but indicates there is sufficient evidence to suggest a violation occurred. The enforcement actions are part of the state’s broader efforts to protect tenants from discriminatory housing practices.