Kansas City Landlords Challenge New Ordinance, Claiming Unconstitutional Overreach in Discrimination Protection Law

Kansas City, Mo. – Amidst rising concerns over housing discrimination, two local landlords have initiated legal action against Kansas City’s newly enacted housing ordinance, which aims to safeguard tenants against discrimination based on their income sources. The ordinance, approved by the city council in January, has generated significant discussion on the balance between tenant protection and landlords’ rights. The legal challenge, brought forth by landlords Kennedy F. Jones and Stephen J. Vogel, contends that the ordinance represents an “unconstitutional overreach.” Specifically, their concern lies with the requirement to accept various non-traditional income sources, including federal … Read more

Justice Department Sues Tech Firm Over Allegations of Rent Collusion Among Landlords

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Justice, along with eight state attorneys general, filed a lawsuit against RealPage, a prominent provider of property management software. This legal move challenges the company’s practices which, according to the DOJ, enabled landlords across the nation to coordinate on setting higher rents, affecting millions of tenants in the process. RealPage, based in Richardson, Texas, offers software that manages approximately 16 million rental units, primarily in the Sun Belt and Southern United States. The federal lawsuit, which was lodged in a North Carolina federal court, claims that RealPage holds a … Read more

Missouri to Implement Transformative New Regulations for Renters and Landlords Starting Next Month

Jefferson City, Mo. – A new set of laws affecting Missouri renters and landlords will soon take effect, heralding significant changes in the way rental agreements are handled across the state. The legislation, aimed at refining the landlord-tenant relationship, will introduce several measures to ensure clearer communication and responsibilities from both parties. Among the key provisions of this legislation is the requirement for landlords to provide tenants with a copy of the lease agreement. This move ensures transparency and mitigates potential disputes about the terms of the lease. Additionally, landlords will now be required to … Read more

New Jersey Accuses Morris, Essex Landlords of Violating Laws on Emotional Support Animals

Trenton, NJ — New Jersey authorities are taking action against landlords in Morris and Essex counties for allegedly violating federal and state housing laws by restricting tenants’ rights to keep emotional support animals. This move highlights ongoing tensions between property managers and renters who require these animals for mental health reasons. The New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, which enforces anti-discrimination laws, has issued findings of probable cause against several landlords. The landlords are accused of denying accommodations for emotional support animals, a practice that is protected under the Fair Housing Act. Emotional support animals, … Read more