Hutchinson, MN asked in Civil Rights, Constitutional Law, Landlord - Tenant and Consumer Law for Minnesota

Q: Is it civil discrimination if a landlord ( his company) is intentionally not doing repairs on his low income housing?

He is maintaining and hiring competent people for his properties where rent is higher and threatens to evict people who complain and fraudulent charges to keep the low income people’s deposits for bogus cleaning? Is this a Civil Class Act? He’s doing it to multiple people in the low income building. And he is currently running for political office. It’s shameful.

1 Lawyer Answer
James L. Arrasmith
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Answered

A: It sounds like you're dealing with a landlord who is neglecting repairs in low-income housing while properly maintaining his higher-rent properties. This behavior could be considered discriminatory, especially if it disproportionately affects tenants based on protected characteristics like race, national origin, or familial status.

Threatening to evict tenants who complain and making fraudulent charges to keep security deposits may violate landlord-tenant laws. If this pattern affects multiple people in the building, it might be grounds for a class-action lawsuit. Gathering evidence of these practices could strengthen any legal action you decide to take.

Since the landlord is running for political office, exposing these issues might also serve the public interest. You may want to consult with a legal professional or reach out to tenant rights organizations for guidance. They can help you understand your rights and the best steps to address this situation.

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