Are there any laws forbidding discrimination against tenants?

Yes, there are laws preventing landlords from discriminating against tenants in California. The primary source of anti-discrimination laws for tenants in California is the Unruh Civil Rights Act, which was passed in 1959. This law states that all persons within the State of California are free and equal, and that no one shall be subjected to discrimination or denied “equal accommodations” on the basis of their sex, race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, or other protected class status. In addition to the Unruh Civil Rights Act, the federal Fair Housing Act of 1988 also makes it illegal for landlords to discriminate against tenants in many circumstances. This law prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing related transactions based on their race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or disability. Discrimination in housing can take many forms, such as refusing to rent to a tenant on the basis of their protected class status, charging a higher rent or security deposit to tenants on the basis of protected class status, or any other form of harassment or unequal treatment. It is important that tenants who believe they are being discriminated against are aware of their rights and know what recourse they may have. If a tenant believes they have been discriminated against, they should contact their local housing authority for assistance.

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