Are landlords allowed to deny housing to victims of domestic violence under Fair Housing Law?

Yes, landlords are allowed to deny housing to victims of domestic violence under Virginia Fair Housing Law. According to the Virginia Fair Housing Law, landlords can reject any application from a person with a history of domestic violence, or is at high risk of becoming a victim of domestic violence if the individual is living in the rented space. However, landlords are prohibited from discriminating against an applicant or tenant based on the tenant’s status as a victim of domestic violence. This means landlords cannot deny a person rental housing if they know, or suspect, that the applicant is a victim of domestic violence. Moreover, landlords should consider providing reasonable accommodations to protect victims of domestic violence. For instance, a landlord may request that the tenant install an additional lock on the premises or other safety features to protect victims of domestic violence. If an individual requests such accommodations, then the landlord must provide them. Ultimately, while a landlord is within their rights to reject a rental application due to a person’s history of domestic violence or potential risk of becoming a victim, they cannot deny housing solely based on the individual’s status as a victim or survivor of domestic violence. They also must consider providing reasonable accommodations to protect victims of domestic violence.

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