The "Housing for All Legislation" passed 3/8/21 by Columbus City Council includes protection for renters from "income discrimination," particularly outlawing the practice of denying low-income residents leases if they rely on federal Department of Housing and Urban Development Section 8 housing vouchers. The ordinance also protects those who rely on child support, spousal support or public assistance.
The ordinance prohibits landlords from refusing to rent or making any distinctions or restrictions in the "price, terms, conditions, fees, or privileges" based on the renter's sources of income. Landlords can't represent to a person that a dwelling is not available for inspection or rental if it in fact is, and if an operator requires that a prospective or current tenant must meet a certain threshold level of income, any sources of income in the form of a rent voucher or subsidy must be included in the calculation.
Columbus REALTORS® joined a collation with the Columbus Apartment Association and met with every member of council, expressing our concerns of this legislation.Read testimonysent to City Council in February.
A landlord found guilty of refusing to rent based on source of income would be guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine, according to the city's website.
The council passed two other pro-renter ordinances, one that requires operators with five or more units to allow security-deposit payments to be made in monthly installments over up to six months, and one that requires landlords to give written receipts for all security deposits and rent payments.
Although the ordinances indicate the changes will go into effect in the standard 30 days after passage, the council said in a news release that the changes will take effect July 1. The council plans to hire an outside consultant to first conduct educational outreach to landlords and tenants.
Our Government Affairs Forum is now dedicated to working with key stakeholders and our members on education and implementation of this legislation and will host forums over the next several months to ensure we are providing accurate and reliable education/information.
Columbus landlords could face jail if they deny Section 8 tenants a shot at housing- published 3/9/21 in The Columbus Dispatch.
