Home » News » Business
September 12. 2012 11:05PM
Concord real estate agent accused of discrimination
CONCORD — A local real estate agent has been charged with violating the federal Fair Housing Act for allegedly refusing to rent to families with children, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's New England regional office in Boston.
HUD investigators announced on Wednesday that they have charged Scott Walker and Premier Real Estate, 255 South Main St., with illegal discrimination in housing.
The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to deny housing because someone has children or to make statements that indicate a limitation on renting to someone because they have children, according to HUD officials.
Walker did not immediately return a phone call to his office Wednesday afternoon
He allegedly screened applicants and showed the available apartment only to people without children. He also is accused of making statements verbally and in emails that suggested children were not welcome as residents in his property.
“Investigators found that when a single mother with a 14-year-old child inquired about the property, Walker informed her that the property was not suitable for a family with children and that he did not have to rent to her,” according to the HUD statement.
An administrative law judge will hear the HUD charges unless either party elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If the administrative judge finds after a hearing that discrimination has occurred, he could award damages to the family, according to Rhona Siciliano of the Boston HUD office.
In addition, the judge could levy fines, impose an injunction against similar behavior in the future to prevent discrimination and require payment of attorney fees.
If the matter ends up in federal court, a judge could also award punitive damages to potential tenants who were denied housing.
“Treating families with children differently from other tenants is against the law,” said John Trasvina, HUD assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is committed to taking action against anyone who unlawfully denies housing to families.”
HUD operates a hotline for people who believe that they have been victims of unlawful discrimination in housing, at 800-669-9777.
Dave Solomon may be reached at dsolomon@unionleader.com.
HUD investigators announced on Wednesday that they have charged Scott Walker and Premier Real Estate, 255 South Main St., with illegal discrimination in housing.
The Fair Housing Act makes it unlawful to deny housing because someone has children or to make statements that indicate a limitation on renting to someone because they have children, according to HUD officials.
Walker did not immediately return a phone call to his office Wednesday afternoon
He allegedly screened applicants and showed the available apartment only to people without children. He also is accused of making statements verbally and in emails that suggested children were not welcome as residents in his property.
“Investigators found that when a single mother with a 14-year-old child inquired about the property, Walker informed her that the property was not suitable for a family with children and that he did not have to rent to her,” according to the HUD statement.
An administrative law judge will hear the HUD charges unless either party elects to have the case heard in federal district court. If the administrative judge finds after a hearing that discrimination has occurred, he could award damages to the family, according to Rhona Siciliano of the Boston HUD office.
In addition, the judge could levy fines, impose an injunction against similar behavior in the future to prevent discrimination and require payment of attorney fees.
If the matter ends up in federal court, a judge could also award punitive damages to potential tenants who were denied housing.
“Treating families with children differently from other tenants is against the law,” said John Trasvina, HUD assistant secretary for Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. “HUD is committed to taking action against anyone who unlawfully denies housing to families.”
HUD operates a hotline for people who believe that they have been victims of unlawful discrimination in housing, at 800-669-9777.
- - - - - - - -
Dave Solomon may be reached at dsolomon@unionleader.com.