Can a landlord need to charge higher rent from tenants of certain protected classes?

In Washington, no landlord can charge higher rent to tenants of certain protected classes. This is because of state and federal laws that protect people, regardless of their race, nationality, religion, sex, familial status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity, from discrimination in rental housing. Leasing laws in Washington prohibit landlords from charging different rent amounts, treating people differently based on their protected class, or providing unequal services. Landlords also cannot retaliate against tenants in protected classes for asserting their rights. If a landlord is found to be treating protected classes of tenants differently, they could face legal repercussions. When it comes to security deposits, landlords are only allowed to charge an amount that is equal for all tenants, regardless of their protected class. This means that landlords cannot require higher deposits from tenants who are part of protected classes. They also cannot discriminate against tenants when it comes to their choice of roommates or other living arrangements that involve people of the same protected class. Overall, the leasing laws in Washington protect tenants from discrimination based on their protected class. Landlords cannot charge higher rent from tenants in protected classes and they are not allowed to provide unequal services to those tenants either. If a landlord is found to be in violation of any of these laws, they could face legal repercussions.

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Can a landlord need to charge higher rent from tenants of certain protected classes?

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