When it comes to managing rental property in San Diego, most landlords and property managers are focused on the basics—finding good tenants, collecting rent on time, and keeping the property in good shape. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that’s just as important: making sure you’re renting fairly and legally.
Rental discrimination laws aren’t just rules on paper; failing to follow them can lead to costly lawsuits, lost reputation, and big fines. Here’s what every landlord and property manager needs to know about rental discrimination laws in San Diego.
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰𝘀: 𝗙𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀
The Fair Housing Act (FHA) sets the foundation for fair renting across the U.S. Under this law, it’s illegal to deny
housing or treat applicants differently based on:
– Race or color
– Religion
– National origin
– Sex
– Disability
– Familial status (families with children under 18)
𝗘𝘅𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲: You can’t refuse to rent to a family with kids or deny a disabled tenant’s request for a service animal.
𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗮’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘀
California takes it a step further with the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) and the Unruh
Civil Rights Act. This means you also can’t discriminate based on:
– Citizenship or immigration status
– Primary language
– Marital status
– Sexual orientation
– Gender identity or gender expression
– Age
– Military or veteran status
– Source of income (including housing vouchers like Section 8)
Saying “No Section 8” is illegal in California. San Diego has its own Residential Tenant Protections Ordinance (effective 2023), which strengthens source-of-income protections.
✅You must accept applicants with Section 8 or other housing assistance.
❌You can’t post ads excluding voucher holders.
Tip: Always list your property as “all income sources welcome.”
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, rental discrimination laws aren’t about making your job harder—they’re about creating a fair and equal housing market. By following them, you:
☑️Protect yourself from costly lawsuits
☑️Build stronger relationships with tenants
☑️Operate as a professional, trusted property manager
And if all of this still feels overwhelming, that’s exactly what we’re here for at Three Palms Property Management. We’ll help you stay compliant, find great tenants, and make the rental process simple—so you can focus on enjoying the benefits of property ownership.
