A property owner inquired about management services for her unit. She said she would not accept a Section 8 tenant. I’ve heard this many times before and began to explain that some of my best tenants receive Section 8 benefits.

Then she dropped the bomb. She will not allow children in her property and she wants us to find a single man.

In the State of Hawaiʻi, it is illegal to discriminate against any person because of religion, color, sex, ancestry/national origin, age, marital status, disability, race, familial status, HIV infection, sex, or sexual orientation.

When renting a unit on the 30th floor of a high rise, it is only natural to be concerned if the tenant has small children. But it is against the law to deny an applicant solely because they have children.

If you don’t want Section 8, that’s your choice. They are not a protected class in Hawaiʻi as of this writing. However, you are not a good fit with my company and I’ll let you find another agent.

And single guys only? Oh boy.

A condominium project in my town posted signs reading “No Children Playing in Parking Lot” and was required to remove the word “children.” They also had designated one of the pools for “adults only” and that sign had to come down.

We all know obvious discrimination when we see it, but sometimes it is not so black and white.

Today a Craigslist ad we ran said “kid friendly”. It was tagged and removed.  I’m still trying to figure this one out.

At a recent seminar, we were informed that it is a violation to say that a property is “within walking distance of …” because not everybody can walk.  We must use the words “near” or “close”. Really? I mean REALLY??

We all want to do the right thing and we treat everyone the same.

🔑 Hire a Property Manager who receives continuing education and is well versed in the Fair Housing Laws.