Recent content by DeenaCA

These statements are both incorrect, at least in the context of housing. First, under the federal Fair Housing Act it is unlawful: In this case discrimination would consist of charging a pet deposit and pet fee, because an emotional support animal ("assistance animal") is not a pet...

Here's a site that discusses the landlord's responsibilities under federal and Ohio state law. These apply with or without a written lease. Also see the link at the bottom of the page for locating affordable legal services.

There does not appear to be an income test for SSA survivor benefits for caretakers of children under 16. The caretaker can receive these benefits at any age. As the OP noted, there's a maximum amount for the entire family.

Greater Dayton Premiere Management is a contractor administering HUD's housing choice voucher program ("Section 8") in Dayton. If you are a participant in the voucher program, your landlord signed a Housing Assistance Payments contract ("HAP contract") when you moved in. Here's an excerpt from...

Are you the property manager? You're correct that the noise from a crying baby is not an evictable offense. The first step I'd recommend is to perform some kind of reality check on the actual noise level. It's not unusual for new tenants to be unpleasantly surprised by the noise of a small...

How does the OP even know that other tenants are receiving housing choice voucher ("Section 8") assistance? That information is confidential. The program responsibilities of the HCV landlord are laid out in the housing assistance payments contract ("HAP contract"). While the landlord is...

Here's what HUD has to say on the subject of insurance policy breed bans. A housing provider might be able to use this as a defense to a fair housing claim, if it could be proven that the insurance company in fact would not allow a specific breed and that comparable insurance is not available...

The ADA rules on service animals are strict, but they do not apply to housing. Service and assistance animals in housing fall under the Fair Housing Act. An explanation of the differences is available in HUD Notice FHEO 2013-01. Note that the Fair Housing Act applies both to assisted and...

What kind of subsidized housing is it? Is it traditional public housing, the voucher program ("Section 8"), or assistance through HUD's multifamily programs? Let me now and I can give you an idea of where to find rules and policies pertaining to the program. This kind of offense is not...

When you say that you're subsidized by "Sec. 8 HUD." do you mean that you are on the housing choice voucher program or one of HUD's multifamily programs? If it's HCV the housing authority might be able to help you. I agree that you should contact a disability advocacy group in your area. Find...

The technical term is "accessible" parking space, although I'm pretty sure a parking space doesn't care what you call it. Here's an excerpt from HUD's FAQs on accessibility guidelines under the Fair Housing Act: If you are in need of an accessible space and find the available space(s) always...

It's not clear whether this situation has anything to do with sexual orientation or other protected characteristics (such as disability). A fair housing organization would be in a position to check, possibly through a few "testing" phone calls. Just FYI, discrimination based on sexual...

The right to peaceful enjoyment does not include a right to be free from the everyday noise of children. Certainly there's an element of reasonableness here, in that loud noise at 2:00 a.m. would probably violate the lease or co-op rules. But with the exception of senior housing, the sound of...

In addition to the useful link in post #4, please see the CA Department of Consumer Affairs CA Tenants Guide. There is a section on pages 59-61 on pro-rating the costs of carpet and paint. As noted at the end of the section:

You mentioned that the rent is income-based. Is this a subsidized housing program? If so, do you know what subsidy program it is ? For example, tax credit building, HUD multifamily. local subsidy, etc? The reason I ask is that most subsidized housing programs have waiting lists. If there is a...