Office of The Attorney General
- Anne Milgram, Attorney General
Division on Civil Rights
- J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo, Director

Division on Civil Rights Announces Action Against Landlords For Failing to Provide Required Data on Housing Activity - Annual MDRR Reports Must Include Breakdowns of Housing Activity by Race, Ethnicity

TRENTON - The Division on Civil Rights announced today that it has taken administrative action against 165 New Jersey landlords for failing to file a required annual report describing the race and ethnicity of their housing applicants and leaseholders.

According to Director J. Frank Vespa-Papaleo, the Division on Civil Rights has filed an Order to Show cause against the owners of "multiple-dwelling" apartment buildings - buildings with 25 or more housing units -- who have failed to comply with New Jersey's Multiple Dwelling Reporting Rule.

In responding to the action, landlords have up to 10 days to file a completed Multiple Dwelling Report Rule form with the Division on Civil Rights or, in the alternative, file a written explanation as to why they cannot comply.

"These MDRR reports are an important tool in helping us to 'flag' potential discriminatory conduct, and to ensure that New Jersey landlords open their buildings to all eligible persons," said Vespa-Papaleo. "We are committed to combating discrimination in any form, and landlords can count on us vigorously investigating and prosecuting those who refuse to comply with laws designed to help us do so."

The Director explained that, to date in 2007, the majority of the state's approximately 3,000 multiple-dwelling landlords have met their obligation under the MDRR. Noting that three prior warnings have already gone out in 2007 to landlords who have failed to meet their MDRR obligation, he said time has run out for those who continue to ignore the requirement.

"At this point, the vast majority of building owners have complied with the law for this year by submitting their MDRR reports, and for that they should be commended," said Vespa-Papaleo. "Those who have not complied must recognize that filing an MDRR report is not discretionary. It is a requirement under New Jersey law."

Landlords who fail to meet their obligation under the Multiple Dwelling Reporting Rule are subject to fines of up to $10,000 for a first offense, up to $25,000 for a second offense, and up to $50,000 for a third offense.

Vespa-Papaleo said the MDRR reports are vital because they enable the State to know if illegal factors are influencing the racial and ethnic composition of individual apartment buildings, and they help to identify potential patterns of housing discrimination. In addition, he noted, the MDRR forms require owners to furnish information regarding the degree of access they provide to persons with disabilities.

According to Vespa-Papaleo, the owners of multiple-dwelling apartment buildings are required to file their MDRR reports on or before January 30 of each year. Data included in the report must cover the period from Jan. 1 through December 31 of the previous year.

The Division on Civil Rights makes MDRR information and forms available on the Division's internet Web site at www.NJCivilRights.org. The forms are also available at every Division office throughout the State.

The Division on Civil Rights is responsible for enforcement of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the Family Leave Act. The Division currently has six offices, located in Newark, Trenton, Atlantic City, Camden, Paterson, and Jersey City. Further information about the Division is available on its Web site.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases07/pr20070806a.htm