In light of increasing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions within California, Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a consumer alert signaling the illegality of housing discrimination based on immigration status, a move reflecting the state’s commitment to uphold the legal protections afforded to tenants. The alert specifically warns landlords against engaging in discrimination or harassment, including threats to disclose an individual’s immigration status to law enforcement or ICE as a scare tactic to force them out, as reported by the California Attorney General’s Office.
According to the Office of the Attorney General, housing discrimination includes a range of unfair practices—from refusing rental applications based on nationality to charging higher rent for certain tenants—and such actions are starkly against California law and whilst the nation faces a heightening climate of fear amidst federal immigration crackdowns, Bonta’s directive stands as a reminder of the state’s protective stance for its residents, regardless of immigration status, ensuring mainstays of relevancy and authority in the observance of their rights. Attorney General Rob Bonta reiterated the state’s position, stating, “California tenants — no matter their immigration status — have a right to safe housing and to access housing documents in a language they can understand,” simultaneously vowing to wield the full extent of his office’s authority against those capitalizing on tenant vulnerabilities during these pressing times.
Besides underscoring tenants’ rights to housing without discrimination, the alert highlighted the requirement for landlords in California to furnish lease documents and significant changes in rental terms in Spanish, Chinese, Tagalog, Vietnamese, or Korean if these are the languages primarily used by the tenant when engaging with the property manager or landlord. As outlined in state law, translated documents are a mandated safeguard intended to ensure that tenants fully comprehend the terms they are agreeing to, and landlords failing to comply may face retribution including fines, damages, and even attorney’s fees…