Sexual Harassment & Hostile Housing

Quid pro quo harassment — a landlord conditioning tenancy, repairs, or rent relief on sexual favors — and hostile-environment harassment — severe or pervasive unwelcome conduct — both violate the Fair Housing Act's sex-discrimination ban. HUD and DOJ actively prosecute landlord harassment cases. Sex discrimination also covers unequal treatment of women in lending (once common: discounting a wife's income) and, under current interpretations, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Property managers must train staff, take complaints seriously, and never retaliate against complainants — retaliation is an independent violation even if the underlying claim fails.