From racial bias to sleazy favors: Arizona AG launches crackdown on landlords from hell

The initiative aims to educate residents about their rights and the various forms of discrimination.

PUBLISHED OCT 9, 2024

The Arizona Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division is responsible for enforcing the Arizona Fair Housing Act.

Phoenix, Arizona: The Arizona Attorney General's office has launched a new campaign to tackle housing discrimination across the state. The initiative aims to educate residents about their rights and the various forms of discrimination that can occur in the housing sector.

The new campaign highlights how discriminatory practices affect residents, with a focus on those who may not be fully aware of their rights under the Arizona Fair Housing Act.

The campaign aims to shine a light on specific violations of the Arizona Fair Housing Act.

What is the Arizona Fair Housing Act?

The Arizona Fair Housing Act is a state law that prohibits discrimination in housing-related activities, such as renting, buying, selling, or financing homes, based on specific protected characteristics. It is designed to ensure that all individuals have equal access to housing opportunities without facing discrimination.

The Arizona Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division is responsible for enforcing the Arizona Fair Housing Act. Individuals who believe they have been subjected to housing discrimination can file a complaint with this division. The Civil Rights Division investigates complaints and, if necessary, can take legal action to address violations of the Act.

Violations of the Arizona Fair Housing Act can lead to legal consequences, including fines, penalties, and required changes in business practices. The aim is to hold violators accountable and prevent future discrimination.

There are some limited exceptions to the Act, such as owner-occupied buildings with no more than four units and single-family housing sold or rented without the use of a broker, as long as the owner does not own more than three such homes.

The Deputy Director of the Fair Housing Center Shawna Tarboro told Alrizona's Family: "There is a lot that people just don't know about fair housing I'm glad that the AG's office is getting involved because this is what we need."

The campaign aims to shine a light on specific violations of the Arizona Fair Housing Act, including discrimination over emotional support animals, retaliation for reporting discrimination, being forced to pay higher deposits due to status, and demands for sexual favors in exchange for repairs.

The Attorney General's office urges anyone who believes they have experienced housing discrimination to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division.

The Attorney General's office noted that disability discrimination remains the top complaint nationwide and in Arizona. Alongside disability issues, gender discrimination and sexual harassment have also seen a significant rise, with reported cases of sexual harassment increasing by 9% over the last two years.

In a statement, Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes emphasized that everyone deserves to be treated equally. The campaign includes proactive steps to help residents protect themselves from housing discrimination. These steps include documenting property conditions, getting all agreements in writing, and saving important documents to support any future claims.

The Attorney General's office urges anyone who believes they have experienced housing discrimination to file a complaint with the Civil Rights Division. The campaign aims to empower individuals to take a stand against unjust practices and ensure that everyone has access to fair and equal housing opportunities in Arizona.