Fair Housing — Income Source Discrimination

California law protects tenants from being denied housing based on their lawful source of income. If a landlord rejected your application because you use a Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher or another form of lawful housing assistance, that conduct may be illegal — and you may have the right to pursue legal remedies.

Source of income discrimination remains a widespread and persistent problem across California, even though state and local laws clearly prohibit landlords from rejecting otherwise qualified tenants solely because they receive rental assistance. These denials cause immediate harm: they delay access to stable housing, destabilize families, and unfairly restrict low-income individuals from accessing safe and suitable homes.

How Source of Income Discrimination Appears

Source of income discrimination frequently occurs in ways that are not immediately obvious. Landlords and property managers may attempt to conceal discriminatory intent behind facially neutral explanations. Common unlawful practices include:

• Advertising rental units with policies that explicitly or implicitly exclude voucher holders
• Claiming a unit is unavailable or has been rented after learning that an applicant holds a housing voucher
• Delaying processing, failing to respond to, or actively discouraging applications from voucher holders
• Imposing additional application requirements, deposits, or conditions not applied to applicants who pay without assistance
• Refusing to accept or participate in the Section 8 program outright, in jurisdictions where such refusal is prohibited

Under California fair housing law, discriminatory intent may be established even when a landlord offers an alternative explanation for the denial. A pattern of conduct, the timing of a rejection, or statements made during the application process may each be relevant to establishing a fair housing violation.

What to Do If You Were Denied Housing

If you believe a landlord refused to rent to you or treated you differently because of your housing voucher or other lawful source of income, taking prompt action is important. We recommend the following steps:

• Do not assume the denial was lawful — source of income discrimination is often disguised as a neutral business decision
• Preserve all written communications with the landlord or property manager, including emails, texts, and application correspondence
• Retain copies of any rental listings, advertisements, or application materials relevant to your situation
• Document any statements made by the landlord or property manager regarding your source of income or housing assistance
• Contact an attorney experienced in fair housing law as soon as possible, as deadlines for filing claims may apply

Timely documentation and prompt legal consultation are critical to preserving your rights and building a viable fair housing claim.

Your Rights and Available Remedies

Fair housing laws exist to ensure that all individuals have equal access to housing, free from discrimination based on protected characteristics — including their lawful source of income. If you were denied a rental opportunity or subjected to discriminatory treatment because of how you pay rent, you may be entitled to the following remedies under California law:

Because the TCPA assigns damages on a per-violation basis, multiple calls or messages can result in substantial aggregate recoveries. A company that places dozens of unlawful robocalls may face liability in the tens of thousands of dollars or more.

How AJG Law Group, PC Can Help

AJG Law Group, PC represents tenants throughout California who have been denied housing or treated unfairly because of their lawful source of income. Our firm focuses on enforcing fair housing protections and holding landlords and property managers accountable for unlawful practices. Our representation includes:

• Evaluating your situation to identify potential fair housing violations and assess the strength of your claim
• Filing complaints with state and federal housing agencies where appropriate
• Negotiating with property owners and their representatives to obtain appropriate remedies
• Litigating in state or federal court when necessary to fully enforce your rights
• Providing clear guidance on your rights and the fair housing protections available to you under California and federal law