A complete guide for Section 8 voucher holders in New York City
New York City and New York State law make it illegal for landlords, property managers, and brokers to discriminate against you because you pay rent with a Section 8 voucher or any other form of lawful income.
This means landlords cannot refuse to rent to you, charge you different fees, or treat you differently simply because you receive housing assistance. You have the same rights as any other tenant.
A landlord cannot say "no Section 8" or refuse to consider your application because you receive housing assistance. This applies even if they don't explicitly say it's about the voucher.
It's illegal to include discriminatory language in listings, including phrases like "no vouchers," "no programs," "no subsidies," or "private pay only."
Landlords cannot require larger security deposits, higher application fees, or additional charges from voucher holders compared to other tenants.
The same credit, rental history, and income requirements must apply to all applicants. Landlords can't impose stricter standards for voucher holders.
Landlords cannot deliberately slow down your application process, claim units are "already rented" when they're not, or refuse to schedule viewings because of your voucher status.
Once a landlord agrees to rent to you, they cannot refuse to complete the required housing authority paperwork or decline to participate in the inspection process.
You can apply to any rental property in NYC, as long as the rent is within your voucher payment standard (or you can afford to pay the difference).
Landlords must evaluate your application using the same criteria they use for everyone else. Your voucher cannot be held against you.
If you experience discrimination, you have the right to file complaints with city, state, and federal agencies. These complaints are free and can result in penalties for landlords.
Free legal services are available to help you fight discrimination. You may be entitled to damages, attorney's fees, and other relief.
Before filing a complaint, gather evidence:
The primary agency for NYC housing discrimination complaints.
Phone: 311 (ask for Human Rights)
Online: nyc.gov/humanrights
Deadline: 1 year from incident
State-level agency that handles discrimination complaints.
Phone: 718-741-8400 (NYC office)
Online: dhr.ny.gov
Deadline: 1 year from incident
Federal agency for fair housing complaints.
Phone: 1-800-669-9777
Online: hud.gov/fairhousing
Deadline: 1 year from incident
Non-profit that investigates and litigates housing discrimination.
Phone: 212-400-8201
Online: fairhousingjustice.org
Several organizations provide free legal assistance to voucher holders facing discrimination:
This information is provided for educational purposes and is not legal advice. Laws change, and every situation is different. If you believe you've experienced discrimination, consult with one of the agencies or legal services listed above for guidance specific to your case.
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