Landlord denies application due to language barrier

[Account Closed]

Landlord denies application by saying one of the two adult applicants doesn't speak English well enough to enter into a legal contract. Landlord says translation is $500 and won't pay it and denies application. HUD is going after landlord for discrimination.

http://www.startribune.com/local/west/300964381.ht...

@Marcia Maynard What's your take?  Does the landlord have to foot the $500 bill for translation?  Or is that smoke and mirrors for discrimination? How and when does a landlord get to decide who does and who doesn't read/understand English well enough for a binding contract?  I know lots of native English speakers with limited reading and writing ability who sign contracts and leases.

[Roy N.]

@Account Closed

The landlord doesn't need a translator so much as an interpreter (someone like Marcia) to facilitate communication with the prospective tenants.

Here, while we are required to provide our lease and documentation only in English or French (the official languages), we cannot reject a candidate simple because s/he does not have a fluent command of either language.  Discriminating against someone based on their mother tongue is indistinguishable from discriminating against them based on national or ethnic origin.

At present we are processing an application from a young couple originally from South East Asia who limited command of English and do not speak French.  Tuesday we are meeting at the multi-cultural association with an interpreter to ensure there are no misunderstandings.