$167K Settlement in Nevada Apartment Discrimination
The owners and operators of a Reno, Nev. apartment complex have agreed to pay $167,000 to settle a housing discrimination lawsuit over illegal restrictions on service dogs used by the disabled.
The Justice Department says Rosewood Parks Apartments used illegal fee structures and certification requirements to force disabled residents with assistance animals to pay more or be denied housing.
A lawsuit was filed in April 2012 after the Silver State Fair Housing Council used people posing as potential tenants to try to rent apartments at the 900-unit complex.
U.S. District Judge Miranda Du approved the settlement Monday awarding $127,500 to one family, $25,000 in compensation to others and $15,000 in civil penalties. The owner, Rosewood Park LLC, also was ordered to develop new policies that don’t discriminate against the disabled.