Landlord in Ohio faces massive $200,000 fine for coercing female tenants into participation in sex-for-rent scams.
In the United States, sexual harassment by landlords towards tenants is prohibited under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), which forbids discrimination and harassment in housing based on sex, among other protected characteristics. This includes unwelcome sexual advances, comments, physical contact, entering a tenant’s home without permission for sexual purposes, and retaliation for complaints about harassment.
Recent legal actions illustrate enforcement of these laws. For example, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) sued a Green Bay-area landlord in 2025 for sexual harassment and retaliation against a tenant, seeking monetary damages and a court order to prevent future discrimination. Such enforcement shows the FHA’s applicability to landlord-tenant relationships.
Apart from federal law, states may have additional laws prohibiting sexual harassment by landlords. While details vary, sexual harassment generally includes unwanted sexual conduct that creates a hostile or abusive environment. For instance, New Jersey's Law Against Discrimination bans sexual harassment in various contexts, though specifics about landlord-tenant harassment in states vary and claim filing deadlines (statutes of limitations) differ by jurisdiction.
In a recent case, Joseph Pedaline, a landlord in the Green Bay area, has been hit with $199,000 in penalties for sexual harassment. The DOJ encourages individuals who may have been victims of sexual harassment at rental properties owned or managed by Pedaline or YLP LLC to come forward.
Pedaline's predatory conduct spanned over a decade, from 2009 to 2020. Alarmingly, 1 in 10 women with incomes less than £20,000 reported experiencing such propositions. Pedaline allegedly made unwelcome sexual comments, intruded into tenants' homes, and inappropriately touched them. He reportedly offered to excuse late or unpaid rent in exchange for sexual acts. The US Department of Justice confirmed a pattern of behavior that violated the Fair Housing Act.
The settlement against Pedaline raises awareness about the persistent issue of sexual harassment in rental housing, underscoring the need for stronger protections for tenants. The settlement requires Pedaline and YLP LLC to pay a total of $199,000, including $189,000 to compensate former tenants and a $10,000 civil penalty to the federal government. As part of the consent decree, Pedaline is permanently barred from renting property again.
Research conducted by Generation Rent and Mumsnet revealed that over 200,000 female private renters could have been propositioned with free or discounted rent in return for sexual favors. The ban on Pedaline renting property is a significant measure to prevent further misconduct and protect future tenants from similar abuse. Moreover, the settlement forces Pedaline and YLP LLC to take urgent measures to repair the credit of ruthlessly evicted tenants.
Tenants experiencing such harassment should seek legal advice promptly due to statute of limitations rules. The FHA prohibits sexual harassment and retaliation by landlords towards tenants, and tenants can file complaints with HUD and seek legal redress in federal court. Remedies include monetary damages, injunctions to stop discriminatory practices, and protections against retaliation. State laws may provide additional protections and have varied statutes of limitations for filing claims. Enforcement by the DOJ and HUD continues actively, as shown by recent lawsuits and settlements.
Read also:
- Massive 8.8 earthquake hits off the coast of Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami alert.
- Court petitions to reverse established decision on same-sex marriage legalization
- Proposed Standardization of Food Labeling Laws Among Member States by the Commission
- Current News: AfD Achieves 26% - Union Dips to Laschet's Level
