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

In Washington, landlords are not allowed to deny housing to victims of domestic violence under Fair Housing Law. The Washington State Human Rights Commission determined that state and federal housing laws, which include the federal Fair Housing Act and Washington’s Law Against Discrimination, provide protection against discrimination based on domestic violence victim status. The Washington State Human Rights Commission (WSHRC) clarified in a formal complaint determination that “domestic violence survivor” is a protected class under the federal Fair Housing Act and Washington’s Law Against Discrimination. This means that rental housing cannot be denied to victims of domestic violence. Landlords are prohibited from asking about an applicant’s status as a victim of domestic violence either verbally or on a rental application. Furthermore, landlords are not permitted to take any action that would make living in their rental unit more difficult for a domestic violence survivor. This includes refusing to provide tenant protections to a domestic violence survivor, such as changing the locks or providing additional security. In the event that a landlord does deny housing to a domestic violence survivor, they may be in violation of Fair Housing Law. Victims of domestic violence are encouraged to report any such discriminatory activity to the WSHRC, where they can file a formal complaint against the landlord.

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

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