A US landlord has been accused of widespread civil rights violations after complaints were filed in six states and the District of Columbia. Greystar, the largest owner and manager of apartments in the United States, is alleged to have systematically disregarded local laws requiring affordable housing for low-income individuals by refusing to accept federal housing choice vouchers (Section 8) in areas where acceptance is legally required.
The complaints, filed by the Housing Rights Initiative and law firm Cohen Milstein, detail 114 alleged violations of state and D.C. fair housing laws. Aaron Carr, executive director of the Housing Rights Initiative, claimed his organisation has "never encountered a landlord that operates with such brazen contempt and hostility toward the rule of law as Greystar." He argued that, as the largest landlord in America, Greystar should set standards for best practices rather than rejecting legitimate prospective tenants.
Undercover testers posing as potential tenants with vouchers contacted Greystar-managed properties, recording staff responses. According to the groups, all buildings either refused vouchers outright or imposed illegal conditions on their use. Greystar manages over one million housing units across the US, including approximately 235,000 in the jurisdictions where complaints were filed. The company has not addressed the allegations directly, but released a statement reaffirming its commitment to fair housing practices and providing related training to staff.
The latest allegations follow a Guardian investigation last month revealing tenants in Greystar-run buildings faced numerous fees from 125 additional charges. Greystar was also involved in significant legal settlements: it agreed to a $50 million settlement for a federal class action lawsuit alleging collusion with other landlords to inflate rents, and a $24 million Federal Trade Commission settlement concerning hidden fees.
The case raises broader concerns about tenant rights and fair housing laws worldwide, including the UK. The practices of large property management firms like Greystar are often scrutinised globally due to their multinational scale and scope.