The Official Website of the Attorney General of Massachusetts

Attorney General Martha Coakley

AGO Protects Tenants from Discriminatory Online Advertisements 

Recently, the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) reached settlements in 20 cases against landlords and real estate agents in seven counties across the Commonwealth accused of violating state anti-discrimination laws by making discriminatory statements in rental advertisements on the popular website Craigslist.org (Craigslist).  The Attorney General’s Office also filed lawsuits against six other defendants based on similar allegations.  The settlements and lawsuits were the result of a statewide investigation into reports of widespread discriminatory Internet advertising.
 
In an effort to prevent future discrimination against families with children and against recipients of housing subsides. the AGO is also issuing two advisories to provide information and guidance to tenants, landlords, property owners and real estate companies about housing discrimination laws. For additional information on lead paint discrimination and housing discrimination as it pertains to tenants receiving housing subsidies, please contact the AGO Civil Rights division.