DFEH Settles Sexual Harassment Housing Complaint

Sacramento – The Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) resolved a housing harassment complaint brought by a Vacaville tenant against her property management company.

Sexual harassment by a housing provider violates the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). The complainant alleged that an employee of her apartment complex’s property management company physically and verbally harassed her, among other things by pressuring her for sexual intimacy and asking her children if she had a boyfriend. According to the complaint, when the tenant reported the harassment to the property management company, nothing was done, and even after she obtained a permanent restraining order against the employee, the harasser remained the emergency maintenance contact for the property.

The parties engaged in a voluntary mediation with the DFEH’s Dispute Resolution Division, resulting in a settlement that provides for a $40,000 payment to the tenant; fair housing training and reassignment of the harassing employee; the use of the fair housing materials in the company’s properties and advertisements; and acknowledgment of the civil harassment restraining order.

“No one should feel unsafe in the place they call home,” said DFEH Director Kevin Kish. “Subjecting a tenant to sexual advances or requiring sexual favors as a condition of housing is against the law.”

DFEH Senior Attorney Mediator Bruce Carter mediated the case.

DFEH’s Dispute Resolution Division provides free, voluntary mediation with experienced mediators to the parties to pending DFEH complaints. More information about DFEH mediation is available here.