No programs! (New York, York: apartments, rent, homes)

[JaasNYC]

This has probably been asked before but I couldn't find it anywhere. Does any of you know if it is illegal to deny a potential tenents application because they participate in a housing assistance program? I've heard that it's illegal for a building if it has more than 6 units. If it's true, please provide a link to the law or document where this info can be found. Thanks.

I found something and it appears that it is illegal to deny a potential tenant due to their source of income. Here's a NYTimes article: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/20/ny...20housing.html

[girls1]

That's interesting because I have read advertisements for apartments that explicitly state "no programs". I guess they were doing it illegaly.

[Andysocks]

If it's your own private house, looks like you can refuse them.

[Moderate Guy]

Many of the statutory housing discrimination laws apply to a minimum number of units - this in practice usually exempts single and two or three family homes.

I guess the paperwork involved in collecting rent from the government makes this situation undesirable for owners? Or is it that they believe such tenants are not the best? I'm not sure.

[nyc_sport]

It is for the most part illegal, but it has some caveats, including that the rule generally does not apply to buildings with less than 6 units unless rent controlled.

New York City Commission on Human Rights