Can my landlord refuse to renew my lease based on the discriminatory behavior of another tenant?

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Can my landlord refuse to renew my lease based on the discriminatory behavior of another tenant?

I am an African-American female business owner, renting from the same landlord for the passed 3 years. Recently another tenant moved into the space next to mine. Almost immediately, these people began to verbally harass me and accuse me of smoking in my office (which I do not do). The landlord has had several correspondences with these people and none with me. And now my lease will not be renewed. These particular tenants have verbally accosted myself and the people that work for me on more than one occasion.

Asked on July 13, 2012 under Real Estate Law, Maine

Answers:

Cameron Norris, Esq. / Law Office of Gary W. Norris

Answered 11 years ago | Contributor

The law in Maine may be different than where I am in California, but almost all states have laws preventing intentional discrimination against renters based on classes such as religion, race, gender etc.  The problem is that you have had very little contact with the landlord and it would be really hard to show why the lease is not being renewed. 

That said, you probably do not have any legal recourse against the landlord.  You may have a cause of action for "tortious interference with business relations" against the other tenant.  When someone gets in between two other parties business agreements and harms that relationship, you can sue for their interference. 

You should consult a local attorney for more state-specific legal advice, but in the meantime I would write the landlord a letter requesting to know why your lease will not be renewed.

Best of luck.


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