Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Massachusetts
Section 8 tenants/discrimination procedures
We rent our house out about 10-11 months of the year,(we use it for one month in the summer). Am I legally allowed to let prospective tenants know that I will not be renting to section 8 individuals? We are renting the house ourselves; we are not using an agency or any outside party. How discriminitive and discerning can we legally be with prospective tenants?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Section 8 tenants/discrimination procedures
Where (what city or town) is your property in?
Housing discrimination against section 8 tenants is against state law.
I don't know if the section 8 administrators will / would approve a lease of only 11 months per year, though.
What town or city is the property in?
Re: Section 8 tenants/discrimination procedures
There is an easy answer to one part of your question. You may not discriminate against Section 8 tenants. It is against the law and should be. If you do discriminate against Section 8 tenants you could face penalties.