BOSTON (Legal Newsline) - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley announced a $12,500 agreement on Friday with two Boston-area housing providers to resolve allegations of discrimination against families with children and lead paint law violations.
William L'Heureux, an agent of Capitol Realty Group, and JP&B Realty, allegedly posted discriminatory advertisements on Craigslist discriminating against families with children because of the presence of lead paint in the units. L'Heureux allegedly refused to show a rental unit to one individual with a family while agreeing to show the same property to another individual with children.
The defendants also allegedly failed to give adequate notice to tenants renting the property of lead paint hazards.
"Massachusetts law protects families from discrimination and ensures their right to live in residential units free of lead hazards," Coakley said. "Real estate professional and landlords must understand that it is illegal to refuse to rent to a family because they have children or to fail to comply with all requirements of the lead paint laws."
Under the terms of the assurance of discontinuance, L'Heureux and JP&B Realty must pay $12,500, implement new policies to avoid future fair housing violations and attend fair housing training. The defendants must also provide lead inspection reports to all tenants currently living in JP&B-owned properties.
Two Boston-area landlords resolve discrimination, lead paint allegations
