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The group manages two buildings in Ward 3 and one building in Ward 2.
WASHINGTON — A property management group that allegedly refused to rent to people under 24 years old or anyone with a felony conviction will pay D.C. $100,000 and promised to change its ways.
Apartment Income REIT LLC, known as AIR in the settlement, is owns and manages three apartment complexes in the District: Upton Place Apartments and Vaughn Place Apartments in Ward 3, and Latrobe Apartment Homes in Ward 2. The Office of the Attorney General began investigating the group when it received a tip that the Upton Place Apartments website explicitly stated that at least one leaseholder must be at least 24 years old and that individuals with felony convictions would not be considered for tenancy.
The OAG alleged that AIR’s policies violated the D.C. Human Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on various traits, including age. Additionally, the company was found to be in violation of the Fair Criminal Records Screening for Housing Act, which regulates how landlords assess applicants with prior convictions. Specifically, the law prohibits blanket bans on individuals with felony records and requires landlords to consider various factors in tenant evaluations.
Under the terms of the settlement, AIR has agreed to the following measures:
- End discriminatory policies: AIR ceased its age-based rental restrictions and blanket rejection of applicants with felony convictions during the OAG investigation and will now submit to compliance monitoring for two years.
- Staff training: All D.C.-based AIR employees must undergo annual training on tenant rights and anti-discrimination laws.
- Application record retention: AIR will retain all rental application records for two years and report any discrimination complaints to the OAG.
- Civil penalties: The company will pay $100,000 in penalties as part of the settlement agreement.
“Landlords have a right and responsibility to provide their tenants with safe, healthy living spaces — but D.C. law explicitly prohibits discrimination based on age and certain types of criminal history,” said Attorney General Schwalb. “This settlement is the direct result of a tip from a member of the public to our office — and we strongly encourage D.C. residents to contact us if they have experienced or witnessed illegal housing discrimination.”
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